NewsClick

NewsClick
  • हिन्दी
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Covid-19
  • Science
  • Culture
  • India
  • International
  • Sports
  • Articles
  • Videos
search
menu

INTERACTIVE ELECTION MAPS

image/svg+xml
  • All Articles
  • Newsclick Articles
  • All Videos
  • Newsclick Videos
  • हिन्दी
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Science
  • Culture
  • India
  • Sports
  • International
  • Africa
  • Latin America
  • Palestine
  • Nepal
  • Pakistan
  • Sri Lanka
  • US
  • West Asia
About us
Subscribe
Follow us Facebook - Newsclick Twitter - Newsclick RSS - Newsclick
close menu
×
For latest updates on nCOVID-19 around the world visit our INTERACTIVE COVID MAP
Politics
India

Anti-Encroachment Drive in Jammu, an Attempt to Drive Out Muslims?

Despite there being 21 unauthorised colonies in Jammu, no other colony except those with Muslim-majority populations are being targeted, said Er. Rashid of AIP.
Sagrika Kissu
25 Dec 2018
Anti Ecroachment Drive Jammu

Image Courtesy: The News Now

An anti-encroachment drive in Jammu on December 22 witnessed a mob pelting stones at a joint team of Jammu Development Authority (JDA). As per the reports, police were also attacked by a violent mob injuring at least eleven people, including six police personnel. The crackdown took place near the Nikki Tawi, which is the fourth bridge area of Jammu. The commencement of the drive had resulted in clashes by the residents of the area, which include mostly Gujjars.  

As per the report, the injured accused the mob of pelting stones and bricks on their team and their vehicles resulting in injuries to over 11 persons and damage to four vehicles.

Speaking with NewsClick, a local said, “This is a selective anti-encroachment drive specifically targeted at Gujjar colonies, which is predominantly Muslim. The Right-wing groups have been targeting Gujjars for a long time and the drive was a result of that. Since the BJP has come to power, Gujjars and Muslims in Jammu have been feeling insecure.” A resident said that the encroachment was an attempt to dislodge Gujjars and evict them from Jammu.

Also Read: https://www.newsclick.in/kathua-rape-victims-family-forced-delay-annual-migration-midway-security-fears-loom-large

Gujjars living in the area have unanimously condemned the anti-encroachment drive by calling it an “attempt to evict Muslims.” Speaking to reporters, AIP (Awami Ittehad Party) president, Er Rashid condemned the exercise by the authorities and called it a “selective and communal” approach. He said, “On February 3 this year, the state assembly was told that there are 21 unauthorised colonies in Jammu city but one has the right to ask why only Muslim dominated colonies are being targeted. Not even a single unauthorised colony of any other community is being disturbed.”

The Jammu Muslim Front (JMF) has also condemned the anti-encroachment drive by calling it a “selective” drive against the Muslim community. They have appealed to the Governor Satya Pal Malik to issue orders to the concerned authorities to “stop harassment of Muslims in the Jammu region.”

Speaking with NewsClick, another local said, “When the houses were raised at that time, nobody said it was illegal, we were given electricity, water connections. Why suddenly an anti-encroachment drive now? There has been a concerted effort to evict Muslims, be it Gujjars, Rohingyas and Kashmiris from Jammu. Feeling of insecurity has been spread among the Hindu population in Jammu. Such events are the result of the broader aim to knock Muslims out of the region. Gujjars from Rajouri and Samba regions used to live near Nikki Tawi, where the JDA attempted to launch an anti-encroachment drive.”

In 2016, former Forest Minister from BJP, Lal Singh had threatened Gujjar and Bakarwals by reminding them of the1947 massacre of Muslims in the region. As per the complaint filed against him, he had said, “Oye Gujroo tum bhul gaye 1947 ko (You Gujjars, have you forgotten 1947).”

For a long time, there have been attempts to polarise Jammu. Kathua rape and murder case, where an eight- year old Bakarwal minor girl raped and murder highlighted the alleged attempt of the locals to instil fear among the nomads to drive them out of the area. The rape case had taken an unpleasant turn, dividing communities on communal lines.

Also Read: https://www.newsclick.in/has-hindu-right-wing-succeeded-spreading-its-polarisation-agenda-jammu

In another such instance, a Hindu Right-wing group including Madhu Kishwar, Sushil Pandit, and Ajay Chrungoo had come together in a seminar, namely, “Ikk Jutt Jammu Maha Adhiveshan (The Save Jammu Crusade)” organised by the famous right-wing social media group named Shankhnaad. The seminars talked about the “dangers posed to the people of Jammu from the growth of Muslim colonies in and around Jammu, and how it is a concerted effort to change its demography.”

Get the latest reports & analysis with people's perspective on Protests, movements & deep analytical videos, discussions of the current affairs in your Telegram app. Subscribe to NewsClick's Telegram channel & get Real-Time updates on stories, as they get published on our website.
Anti Encroachment Drive Jammu
Gujjar-Bakarwal
Kathua Rape
Rohingya
BJP government
Related Stories
Assam

Farm Laws: People March to Raj Bhavans Across the Country in Farmers’ Support, Demand Repeal

The peole of Laika-Dodhia villages set up camps near the office of Tinsukia DC

Assam: Protesting Residents of Laika-Dodhia Break Barricades to Enter DC Office Ahead of PM’s Distribution of Land Pattas

Farmers-Govt talks

Farmers’ Protest: Govt Offers to Suspend 3 Farm Laws for 1.5 Years, Farmers to Revert on Jan 22

Oh Farmer! Ah Farmer!

Oh Farmer! Ah Farmer!

TN: CPI(M), CITU Hold Road Blockades, Demo in Support of Protesting Farmers

TN: CPI(M), CITU Hold Road Blockades, Demo in Support of Protesting Farmers

Strike TN

Workers and Farmers of Tamil Nadu Gear Up to Hit Roads for Nov 26 General Strike

WB

DIPAM-World Bank Agreement Will Be Against India’s Interests: Trade Unionists, Activists

MP Govt’s Committee to Monitor Development Projects Ploy to Accommodate Party Cadres, Alleges Congress

MP Govt’s Committee to Monitor Development Projects Ploy to Accommodate Party Cadres, Alleges Congress

BJP ‘Rigged’ UP Bypolls, Will Give Details After Results, Says Akilesh Yadav

BJP ‘Rigged’ UP Bypolls, Will Give Details After Results, Says Akilesh Yadav

assam

Assam Elections: Opposition Alliance to Launch Joint Protest Against BJP’s 'Misrule'

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare via EmailShare on RedditShare on KindlePrint
Share
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare via EmailShare on RedditShare on KindlePrint
Share

Related Stories

The Associated Press

Police in Myanmar Crack Down on Crowds Defying Protest Ban to Oppose Military Coup

09 February 2021
Yangon: Police cracked down on demonstrators opposing Myanmar’s military takeover, firing warning shots and shooting water cannons to disperse crow
Kashif Kakvi

MP Reported 8 Cases of 'Religious Conversion' Within a Month of Passing Anti-Conversion Law

09 February 2021
Bhopal: Two new cases under the recently passed anti-conversion law in Madhya Pradesh have been
Luv Puri

The Military Coup in Myanmar is a Lesson to Democracies Everywhere

02 February 2021
On a bright sunny day on 30 March 2012, there was a beeline of visitors from across the world including journalists, diplomats at the picture

Pagination

  • Next page ››

More

  • Khichdi

    UP: Minor Girl Dies Allegedly After Consuming 'Khichdi' In Mid-Day Meal in Ballia

  • Zalmay Khalilzad. Photo : Wikimedia Commons

    20 Years After Invasion, US Proposes a New Afghan Government That Includes Taliban

  • Kashmir 4g

    More Room for Politics Expected in J&K as Restrictions Eased on Hurriyat Leader Mirwaiz Umar

  • sc

    Marked ‘D’ on Electoral rolls, 26 Individuals Seek Removal of tag; SC Issues Notice to Centre, EC, Assam Govt

  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with
about