Perhaps for the first time in the Rajasthan elections, communal overtones have emerged as an undercurrent in the political discourse this time.
Travel across the state and the gruesome murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur last year, and that of a Muslim youth in Jaipur last month have become the two contrasting narratives in the polls. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress of ‘minority appeasement’ post both these incidents.
At a short distance from Jaipur’s famous Hawa Mahal, where foreign tourists throng for photographs, is Subhash Chowk where a police bus is stationed even now with cops swarming the area.
This is over a month later after the same spot saw rioting because a Muslim boy, Iqbal, was beaten to death in a road rage incident. Such was the ruckus post the incident that police have not given up its vigil.
‘DILON MEIN ZEHER NA GHOLA JAYE, WANT COMMUNAL HARMONY’
The locals, however, say all they want is communal harmony, and they do not wish politics to spoil the age-old relations between both communities.
“Rajasthan is a peaceful state, it is the politicians who are trying to create differences. Look at such violence happening now (Kanhaiya killing)…it was unheard of before. Don’t make inflammatory statements, don’t let terrorism thrive. If terrorism is finished and dilon mein zeher na ghola jaye, then there would be peace…a good person will never cause riots,” says Shafique, who runs a footwear shop near the Hawa Mahal.
He says Lal’s culprits should be punished, and action should also be taken against the murderers of the Iqbal. “What happened to both of them was wrong,” Shafique says.
The Ashok Gehlot government gave Rs 50 lakh compensation to the family of both Kanhaiya Lal and Iqbal, along with a government job to their kin. But BJP leaders question why both were equated, when Lal died in a “terror attack”, while Iqbal’s death was a case of road rage.
‘IT IS A STATE OF GANGA-JAMUNI TEHZEEB, HINDUS, MUSLIMS SHOULD STAY TOGETHER’
At Subhash Chowk, where Iqbal was beaten to death, locals say the tension prevailed for two-three days, but there is communal harmony now. A group of people sipping tea near the Subhash Chowk, however, is divided on who will come to power post the elections.
“The government changes every five years in Rajasthan. But this time, the Congress will come,” says one, only to be countered quickly by another who says the vote will be for Narendra Modi this time.
“There should be no talk on communal issues; as it only flames tensions. Rajasthan is a state of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb and eating from same thali. Hindu and Muslims should remain together,” says Rakesh Singh. Another adds that Gehlot has worked so the Congress will come to power.
Elsewhere in Rajasthan, the killing of Kanhaiya Lal and Iqbal feature in conversations too.
Will this under-current impact voting in Rajasthan? We will know on December 3.
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