Minor grey shots

There are reports of group clashes in parts of Ahmedabad city after India’s victory over Pakistan. Incidents of minor stone pelting were witnessed at some placed between the groups of Hindus and Muslims in Shahpur, Astodia, Gomtipur, Saraspur and Rakhial areas where Hindu and Muslim pockets are situated side by side. Reason of clashes was almost same at every place. Hindus would burst crackers and shout slogans against Pakistan, and some people on the other side of road would not like to see such an emotional celebration with derogatory remarks passed against Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It’s good that such people are very few and therefore there were no large scale troubles, but minor clashes at only some places.

Nadiad’s Mid road observes strike

Nadiad’s Mid road observed strike today against a group of Muslim who pelted stones over them while they were celebrating India’s victory on Wednesday evening. The shop owners and traders of Mid road told media persons that Police didn’t do anything when complain was made about Muslims attacking celebration of India’s victory.

Rupang Bhatt’s experience:

For last many years I used to hear from Bal Thackerey that during India/Pakistan cricket match, many from Indian Muslim community support Pakistan, and they even burst crackers if Pakistan wins defeating India. Yesterday I had an opportunity to watch half of India/Pakistan match in Muslim area of Ahmedabad along with some friends.

The areas with Muslim majority were observing complete shutdown. Almost each and every person in Muslim areas that I visited was watching cricket. This was ditto in Hindu areas too, but in Muslim areas the atmosphere was more intense.

A typical automobile repair shop in Shahpur area was full of Muslims with half shutter down. There was a TV set there. We could always stand outside and watch TV along with the Muslims.

Every time when there’s six or four by Pakistani player, a group of Muslims would shout with cheer. When there’s wicket, they would be in panic and complete silence. Later some will talk that the next batsman would prove his iron.

Not only me but there were other friends also with me at that time who witnessed this. We were later talking how these people in their dominating area support Pakistan openly and loudly. When they cheered Pakistan, their voices were so loud that it could be heard from distance far. Even children watching cricket in nearby street were feeling same, we could learnt this from their voices.

There is no doubt that there’s a section of Muslim(how to know how large) that supports Pakistan over India. When India won, we were there in Muslim area. There was no celebration. Some youths were seen riding fast bike, going here and there. There were group talks on the sides of roads. Then we heard sounds of crackers. We went to that place where crackers were being busted and found that it was Bhilvas area of Shahpur. A small Hindu pocket amid hugely populated Muslim locality. Bhilvas faces attack at least once in a year, but Hindu tribal people living here are so poor that they can’t migrate. They live peacefully with Muslims most of the time, but clashes happen once or twice a year for day or two.

In Hindu minority areas like Shahpur, Dariapur, Khadia people love to celebrate India’s victory over Pakistan even more than Diwali. When they do it on road just opposite to Muslim area and shout slogans, the are most likely to get stones from other side by few elements, then police rush there and control the situation. This is routine. Bal Thackerey was correct about section of Muslims in India(lets hope it is minor section). Lets not generalize the thing. There are patriotic Muslims too like Dr. Kalam and many others whom I personally know. There are many instances where some Muslims also join victory processions in favor of India. Our impression was on the basis of our presence in one small pocket near Shahpur mosque.