Pathetic condition of Hindus displaced from Bangladesh and staying in MP

The Government has allocated 5 acres of land, which is actually grazing ground, for rehabilitation of Hindus at Khajarana in Madhya Pradesh. This land was meant for displaced Bangladeshi Hindu refugees for setting up a colony called ‘Bangali Colony’; but out of these 5 acres of land, 3 acres of land has been encroached upon by neighboring fanatics who are involved in several illegal acts. Advocate Devendra Pendase, a local Hindu has been fighting legal battle against those fanatics. Bitter experiences of Hindus as regards the Government and local administration while giving such legal fight, are given here. This article has been compiled on the basis of papers made available by advocate Pendase.

Grievances of Bangladeshi Hindus

1. Obstacles in rehabilitation of Hindu refugees by setting up a colony

1. A. Indifference shown by government officers, leads to delay in work related to setting up of colony for Hindu refugees at Khajarana : In 1976, 5 acres of land was allocated to Bangladeshi Hindu refugees. 80 Bangladeshi Hindu families were registered with the Government, on record. The construction of colony included construction of individual houses, a common house, hospital, temple, garden and school; besides, disposal of sewage water, water supply arrangement, building of water tanks etc and funds were received from the Government for such plan; but owing to indifference of government officers, the work could not be completed in time.

1. B. Encroachment by fanatics and their insolent behavior   

1. B.1. Compound wall was not built around the construction; leading to encroachment by fanatics on land of Hindu refugees : After completion of work, compound wall was not constructed around the same which resulted in fanatics encroaching on 3 acres of land out of 5 acres from neighboring Muslim colonies. Moreover, they also got fake papers prepared like ration card, voters’ identity cards, ‘adhar’ cards etc on that address. This land was granned and occupied by building temporary and permanent construction of stalls, houses etc.

1. B.2. Fanatics using the place for cow-slaughter and denigration of temple but police incapable of preventing their hooliganism : On the land grabbed in such illegal manner, cruel acts like slaughtering of cows take place; besides many illegal things. Flesh and bones of cows are thrown in Durga Devi temple. Fanatics sit in temple and consume liquor. They urinate near temple. Such acts lead to fights creating tension in the area. Bangali Colony is behind Khajarana police station; still hooliganism of fanatics goes on and police are incapable of putting curb over those criminals.

1. B.3. Insolent fanatics grabbed land in illegal manner; filed petition in Court to prove their right ! : Thus grabbing land allocated to Hindu refugees,  a petition has been filed by fanatics through a local social worker named Mohammad Ibrahim Ghouri for claiming right on the entire land. The petition has been dismissed by High Court’s Indore Bench.

1. C. Corrupt administration ignoring Hindu refugees’ problems : We have lodged several complaints and given representations to local Dy. District Collector, Tehasildar; In-charge of Khajarana police station and senior police officers; besides many administrative officers. We made a demand, right in front of Khajarana’s District Collector, for taking action against fanatics; but those corrupt officers never conducted impartial inquiry or informed us about such inquiry, in case conducted.

1. D. Hindus closing the common roads of passage and MLAs and MPs avoiding solving of problems faced by residents : Not only fanatics are eyeing this land but even local Hindu residents are also grabbing this land in unlawful manner. Roads which are used for coming from and going to Bangali Colony, are illegally claimed by Hindus as their property and these roads have been closed by constructing walls. Many people are therefore, inconvenienced and unable to freely come and go. They have to use their neighbour’s houses for this purpose. They have to carry old, handicapped or ailing people from their houses through neighbour’s houses. Owing to closing of roads, local cleaning employees are unable to go to this colony and it is dirty everywhere. Though complaints were lodged with local MLAs and MPs, they avoid doing anything to solve the problems.

2. Hindus lodge complaint with Lokayukta since the Govt. and local administration is not taking note of Hindus’ problems

Owing to constant indifference shown towards Hindu refugees’ problems by the Government and administration, a complaint has been lodged on 17th April 2017 with the help of advocate Pendase with Lokayukta and following demands have also been made.

A. Action should be taken against Muslims encroaching on Hindus’ lands and attempts made to sell such lands !

B. Action should be taken against those desecrating Hindus’ mutts and temples !

3. All Hindu refugees should be provided security and done justice !  

– Shri. Anand Jakhotia, Coordinator, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh