Ahmedabad, Dec 1: Naroda Patiya in shoppers' paradise Ahmedabad in the past had made headlines
for all sorts of reasons.
For once, it turned out to be a looters' paradise. There were
arson and anti-Muslim riots. The historic Noorani Masjid was torched.
The green walls of the mosque were left blackened and destroyed by exploding liquified petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders.
But 15 years since then, the resilience power seemed to have prevailed. At times, youths say they hardly know that a Masjid was attacked. Or they pretend? But 37-year-old shopkeeper and a Patidar, Shaileshbhai, at Naroda Gam market says, "The elections of 2017 are crucial. People wanted Ram temple but not by such an arson. So, I say, the polls this year will be a timely warning for the BJP not to minimise the scale of destruction".
But younger lots would insist that they really do not bother about 2002 mayhem and hence their issue is 'nor being Hindutva fan'. "For us, the issue is development, the issue is job and equal opportunities for all," says Tanmaybhai Karavadra.
Tanmaybhai son of banker was hardly 3-4 years old during 2002 and hence he does not recollect the holocaust and is also not associated with the pro-Hindutva majoritanism. "Why should I vote for a Sindhi candidate," he asks rather angrily questioning BJP's decision to field Balram Thawani.
"I am not against any community. But the sitting MLA and the Minister Nirmalaben Wadwani, Women and Child Development Minister, was good enough. But besides the point. I will decide my vote applying my mind," says Tanmaybhai,who would be casting his vote for the first time in life.
The teenager is not alone in terms of suggesting that the gory past of 2002 should be a forgotten episode. "Either one is Hindu or Muslim, but it is true parochialism and communal clashes had resulted in total surrender of value system. This not only left Muslims victimised; it also harmed Hindu mindset," remarks Mikebhai Chudasama.
A Hindu and a traditional BJP voter, but he also says that the saffron party leaders have grown "arrogant" and thus they need to be given a 'mild tremor'.
"In the long run, a corrective course in these elections will help BJP even as the setback would be temporary," says Chudasama, who runs a medicine outlet near Sayeedpur Tower.
The 55-year-old housewife Shitladevi Chandratre has her argument trying to underline that the 2002 mayhem ought to be forgotten.
"I lost my class mate in the dhamal (local lingo for riots). Such catastrophe cannot be good," she says.
Asked to comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his developmental efforts, she says wryly: "Aamro Modi great chhey; par kya Maro Gujarat kam chhey? (Our Modi is great no doubt, but my Gujarat is no less great)".
Her attempt has been to underline that the BJP should not try to steal all the credit of developmental works in Gujarat.
In two simultaneous Assembly elections - 2002 and 2007, the Assembly segment Naroda had returned highly controversial Mayaben Kodnani.
In neighbouring constituency of Thakkarbapanagar, the saffron party has repeated Transport Minister Vallabh Kakadia.
A Muslim resident near Sayeedpur Tower - that falls under Thakkarbapanagar assembly segment - says, "We had to move out of Naroda Patiya area during the riots. I would not forget the nightmare, but we have to move on. Hence the idea to forget 2002 arson is always advisable".
Perhaps he could speak more. But truth is often replaced best by silence, he underlines emphatically.
In the ultimate, as one concludes the quick ground-zero trip to Naroda Patiya and adjoining areas, there is perhaps something to ponder about. A retired teacher of a now derecognised Madrasa in Old City - says, "The Hindu brothers certainly allowed themselves to be deluded by the rhetoric of 'Gujarat Ka sher (Modi)' and Hindu Rashtra. All their problems are now that way far from over".
The Patidar stir is only a tip of iceberg, he notes in a choking voice. UNI
The green walls of the mosque were left blackened and destroyed by exploding liquified petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders.
But 15 years since then, the resilience power seemed to have prevailed. At times, youths say they hardly know that a Masjid was attacked. Or they pretend? But 37-year-old shopkeeper and a Patidar, Shaileshbhai, at Naroda Gam market says, "The elections of 2017 are crucial. People wanted Ram temple but not by such an arson. So, I say, the polls this year will be a timely warning for the BJP not to minimise the scale of destruction".
But younger lots would insist that they really do not bother about 2002 mayhem and hence their issue is 'nor being Hindutva fan'. "For us, the issue is development, the issue is job and equal opportunities for all," says Tanmaybhai Karavadra.
Tanmaybhai son of banker was hardly 3-4 years old during 2002 and hence he does not recollect the holocaust and is also not associated with the pro-Hindutva majoritanism. "Why should I vote for a Sindhi candidate," he asks rather angrily questioning BJP's decision to field Balram Thawani.
"I am not against any community. But the sitting MLA and the Minister Nirmalaben Wadwani, Women and Child Development Minister, was good enough. But besides the point. I will decide my vote applying my mind," says Tanmaybhai,who would be casting his vote for the first time in life.
The teenager is not alone in terms of suggesting that the gory past of 2002 should be a forgotten episode. "Either one is Hindu or Muslim, but it is true parochialism and communal clashes had resulted in total surrender of value system. This not only left Muslims victimised; it also harmed Hindu mindset," remarks Mikebhai Chudasama.
A Hindu and a traditional BJP voter, but he also says that the saffron party leaders have grown "arrogant" and thus they need to be given a 'mild tremor'.
"In the long run, a corrective course in these elections will help BJP even as the setback would be temporary," says Chudasama, who runs a medicine outlet near Sayeedpur Tower.
The 55-year-old housewife Shitladevi Chandratre has her argument trying to underline that the 2002 mayhem ought to be forgotten.
"I lost my class mate in the dhamal (local lingo for riots). Such catastrophe cannot be good," she says.
Asked to comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his developmental efforts, she says wryly: "Aamro Modi great chhey; par kya Maro Gujarat kam chhey? (Our Modi is great no doubt, but my Gujarat is no less great)".
Her attempt has been to underline that the BJP should not try to steal all the credit of developmental works in Gujarat.
In two simultaneous Assembly elections - 2002 and 2007, the Assembly segment Naroda had returned highly controversial Mayaben Kodnani.
In neighbouring constituency of Thakkarbapanagar, the saffron party has repeated Transport Minister Vallabh Kakadia.
A Muslim resident near Sayeedpur Tower - that falls under Thakkarbapanagar assembly segment - says, "We had to move out of Naroda Patiya area during the riots. I would not forget the nightmare, but we have to move on. Hence the idea to forget 2002 arson is always advisable".
Perhaps he could speak more. But truth is often replaced best by silence, he underlines emphatically.
In the ultimate, as one concludes the quick ground-zero trip to Naroda Patiya and adjoining areas, there is perhaps something to ponder about. A retired teacher of a now derecognised Madrasa in Old City - says, "The Hindu brothers certainly allowed themselves to be deluded by the rhetoric of 'Gujarat Ka sher (Modi)' and Hindu Rashtra. All their problems are now that way far from over".
The Patidar stir is only a tip of iceberg, he notes in a choking voice. UNI
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