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“They came at night with their faces covered shouting ‘Bhaiyalog ko bahar nikalo’”
Said Ramraj Yadav, a resident of JP Ni Chawl on the banks of Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad. Around 17 families fled from their homes in the chawl last week after an angry mob, allegedly from the Thakor community, threatened them with dire consequences.
This incident happened in the aftermath of a 14-month-old girl’s rape in Sabarkantha district on September 28 which infuriated the Thakor community. Soon messages went viral seeking revenge from the North Indian migrant workers, after a Bihari labourer was arrested by Sabarkantha police.
Messages went viral on social media accusing North Indian migrant workers of sexually harassing women in Gujarat, and in no time incidents of mob violence spread like wild fire across Sabarkantha, Mehsana, Patan, Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar districts.
As a result, many migrant labourers fled from their homes where they have been living for the last 10 years and were seen boarding buses and trains, back to their homes in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
“I have been observing these workers flocking the platforms for the last two days. They are coming here in hordes, desperate and scared. Many of the men I spoke to said they didn’t even get paid by their factory owners. This is the state of affairs since the minor girl was raped in Sabarkantha.”Mohamad Rizwan, coolie at Ahmedabad Railway Station
The Director General of Police, Shivanand Jha informed the press that 42 cases have been registered against 342 arrested persons, across six districts for inciting the mob and threatening the North Indian labourers.
Migrant Workers Flock Ahmedabad Railway Station
In the last two days, thousands of migrant labourers with their families reached Ahmedabad Railway Station to catch the first train out of Gujarat. The Quint caught up with the fleeing labourers, many of them carrying what little they could, waiting on the platforms.
“I’ve lived here for so many years and never faced any problems. After the minor girl was raped in Sabarkantha, threats were issued to us migrant labourers across the state. No one came and threatened me, but when I saw my friends and neighbours fleeing in droves, so I too decided to leave. Yes, my Diwali bonus and salary will get cut, but what can one do. I will return as soon as things cool down.”Mohamad Shakeel in the Ford Factory at Sanand near Ahmedabad
“The company where I work at told us that they will ensure our protection only in the confines of the factory. Outside the factory they cannot guarantee our safety. Luckily our salaries get credited in our bank account, so we don’t have to worry so much. It is better to save our life and limbs instead of staying back for money. They issued polite threats to us but others in other districts were assaulted. Even the administration can’t do much to protect us.”Rakesh Kumar Jaiswal is a native Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh and works in GIDC at Kadi in Mehsana; the mob threatened him to leave his home by October 10.
Satendra Singh, who is a resident of Bihar was sent back from work by his company. Singh who lives and works in Kalol, Gandhinagar said, “They gave us our salary and asked us to leave. We were threatened by the mob as well. I have only lived in Gujarat for a year but now I will not return.”
Some Migrant Labourers Protected by Neighbours
In slums of JP ni Chawl in Ahmedabad, several families from the north Indian labour class have held their ground on the assurance of safety from the neighbours, albeit 17 families did flee from the colony.
Jagdish Prasad is a native of Lucknow but has called Ahmedabad home for over 50 years. He claims that his home was not targeted by the mob, although some families did leave the slum.
“I was in my home when I heard the commotion. Many men with their faces covered were shouting on top of their voices, ‘nikalo bhaiyaji ko nikalo’. But as I was away from the crowd I was safe. We are in good terms with our neighbours and the community. I have three houses here and never have we experienced bad relationships with anyone in the community.”Jagdish Prasad, resident of JP ni Chawl
Ramraj Yadav was born in Ahmedabad and drives an auto rickshaw in the city for a living. The 44-year-old was scared when the mob barged into the slum.
“Yes, I was born here, but when such things happen I can immediately be deemed as an outsider. The mob had covered their faces while sloganeering ‘bhaiya bhagao’. Luckily our house was far from the mob. Our neighbours are good and kind people and we never faced any discrimination here. I go to work, go to my shop comfortably without any fear. Such incidents will never bother us as we are one community.”Ramraj Yadav, auto rickshaw driver and resident of JP ni Chawl.
Suraj Thakor, who is a resident of the chawl said that police later arrived at the colony and conducted combing operations.
“Around 30 people were picked up by the cops including six women. We are currently going around and telling people in the colony to maintain peace. We are simple hardworking people who don’t want any part in this.”
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