In the aftermath of the unfortunate events that unfolded during the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra in Nuh District, Haryana, the town of Ferozepur Jhirka found itself at the center of turmoil. This historically significant town, a tehsil of Nuh district, had long stood as a symbol of coexistence and harmony. However, on August 6th, 2023, its tranquillity was shattered, leaving a lasting impact on its residents.
The Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra, a religious procession, had been flagged off in the morning from Civil Lines in Gurugram by BJP district president Gargi Kakkar. Its route was intended to pass through Nuh and eventually reach Ferozepur Jhirka. The day took a horrifying turn when the yatra reached Nuh. Within just ten minutes of commencing the procession, violence erupted.
On the morning of July 31, a large gathering assembled for the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra in Nalhar, Nuh. As the Yatra reached Khedla Mod, some people reportedly began chanting slogans, leading to stone-throwing and subsequent violence.
According to the Haryana government, 6 people were killed in the violence, 176 people were arrested, 90 were detained, and 93 FIRs have been registered in connection with the clashes which also spread to the adjoining areas of Haryana including Delhi, Rajasthan’s Bhiwani, etc.
The exact cause of the violence remains under investigation. Initial reports suggest that the
violence was sparked by a video purportedly posted by cow vigilante Mohit Yadav alias
Monu Manesar.
This incident highlights another case of collective punishment that targets a specific community in response to religious violence. The right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Haryana took action against Muslim homes and businesses, alleging illegal encroachments.
However, these demolitions were halted after the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued a strong order to stop bulldozer operations in Nuh and Gurugram. The court raised concerns about whether the demolition of buildings belonging to a particular community was being carried out under the pretext of maintaining law and order, and whether the state was engaging in an exercise of ethnic cleansing.
As shock and grief settled over Ferozepur Jhirka, authorities and community leaders came together, pleading for peace and understanding in the face of such tragic events.
According to Census 2011, Ferozepur Jhirka, a town with a total population of 1,340 people, consists of approximately 183 houses. Its close-knit community had always exemplified the spirit of unity and coexistence. The town’s history, located on the main road from Gurgaon to Alwar, speaks of shared traditions and a peaceful way of life.
The aftermath of the violence left its scars on Ferozepur Jhirka. The numbers tell a somber story – properties were demolished, and 25 temporary and 34 permanent homes were affected. The impact was not only on the physical infrastructure but also on the community itself, with six Hindu and twenty-eight Muslim residents being directly affected.
Accounts of Extensive Damage
The FoEJ team interviewed residents of Ferozepur Jhirka. Based on their accounts, many residents didn’t receive sufficient time to evacuate their homes, leaving some to sleep outdoors.
Amina, whose name we’ve changed to protect her identity, shared her distressing experience, saying, “They demolished our entire house without any prior warnings. Most of our belongings were destroyed, but I managed to salvage only a few items. It was a forceful demolition, and with so many officers present, we were too afraid to speak up. Our children are now outside, and we’re left wondering where to go. There’s no place left for us. We don’t have the means to recover from this loss. My husband works as a security guard, and we struggle to make ends meet.”
Khatooni, another victim of the demolition whose name has been altered, highlighted the dire situation, saying, “We have a major problem finding shelter. There’s no place to sit or lie down. They should have at least left us with enough to ensure our children’s safety. We can survive for about ten days, but what happens after that? We’re a poor family; otherwise, we would have relocated to the cities for good.”
Anwar, whose real name we’ve concealed, described the extensive damage, stating, “Our fan, electric cooler, fridge, and even our cots were destroyed. The grains we had saved up were also ruined. We received a mosquito net from the government, so we set it up every night to sleep, and we have two others for different purposes. They removed the electricity meter and cut off our power. However, I look after a farm, which helps us, and we have a water source. So, we sleep there.”
Demolitions Contrary to Court Order
The FoEJ team was given a copy of a court order by the residents of Ferozepur Jhirka. The order is from the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, dated 15/12/2020. The petitioners, Mamchand and others, are residents of Ward No.13, Ferozepur Jhirka. The respondents are the state of Haryana and others. The order claims that petitioners have lived in this place for over 40 years, and suddenly, the State Machinery, including the Deputy Commissioner, Nuh Mewat, and officers of the Municipal Corporation, Ferozepur Jhirka, are trying to evict them. They assert that they are below the poverty line and have paid for the property.
“We hereby direct the Deputy Commissioner, District Nuh Mewat to look into the said representation and pass appropriate orders on the said representation. If ultimately it is found that they are squatting on Government land, then it is open for the respondents to take possession of the same. However, before doing that sufficient time may be given to them to get themselves re-located in any suitable place of their choice without encroaching into the land belonging to the respondent-State,” reads the court order.
*Court Order
The court directed the deputy commissioner that if they are found squatting on government land, authorities can take possession, but they should be given enough time to relocate voluntarily. However, despite the court order, demolitions occurred, and their homes were destroyed after violence erupted in Nuh.
Aasif Mujtaba, the Founder of Miles2Smile Foundation, has been deeply engaged in relief and rehabilitation efforts to support individuals in Nuh who have suffered from unlawful demolitions. According to Mujtaba, the journey from Ferozepur Jhirka back to Nuh is reminiscent of returning from a zone of conflict. The village of DoodhGhati in Ferozepur Jhirka bears a striking resemblance to an area affected by an earthquake. Throughout their extensive 3.5-year endeavor with Miles2Smile, he conveys that he has never before witnessed such extensive devastation caused by bulldozing.
We have reached out to the Miles2Smile team. According to Nabiya, who oversees the operations at Miles2smile, the organization is primarily involved in three forms of rehabilitation in the area: providing ration, relocating some families, and rebuilding selected houses. Miles2smile is also making efforts to ensure that the affected families in the area are not deprived of basic necessities.
