Who Were the Victims of the Delhi Riots?

Fourteen years ago, Mohd. Ikramuddin shifted to Delhi from his native town of Hapur in Uttar Pradesh in the hope that he would lead a more comfortable life in the National Capital. The intervening years remained peaceful until the last month, when he lost his son Aqib in the communal riots of North-East Delhi. Aqib and Ikramuddin used to sell bangles in a market in New Mustafabad, a business which hardly brought enough money to sustain their lives. Now, with Aqib gone, Ikramuddin appears restless and tired.

Talking to NewsClick, Ikramuddin said: “We have been living here for the last 14 years. I never felt that the situation will worsen to this extent. Delhi is considered to be the safest place. Now, where does one go?" Aqib, like thousands of other Muslim pilgrims, was returning home after performing rituals in the annual congregation of Ijtema when he was caught by murderous mobs near Chand Bagh who beat him ruthlessly. "We took him to Guru Tegh Bahadhur Hospital where doctors performed three surgeries. But, he eventually succumbed to his injuries," said Ikramuddin.

NewsClick complied this list from a source at the GTB Hospital and through news reports that have profiled victims of the Delhi violence. 

Shahid, an auto driver by profession, met a similar fate when he was returning home after Ijtema to New Mustafabadbad. His relatives allege that rioters shot him in the stomach. Shahid got married two months ago. His family now stares at an uncertain future. 

Shahid's family alleged that the riot was allowed to go unhindered due to Delhi Police's inaction. His sister said that casualties would have been much lesser had “the Police taken timely action against the culprits. We saw persons pelting stones and even shooting people from the top floor of Mohan Nursing Home. Yet, they did not take any notice,” she said. 

Prem Singh, a rickshaw puller by profession, had gone to buy milk for his children near his house in Brijpuri. He was reportedly shot in the chest by a mob. The fact that he remained missing for days left his family perturbed about his well being. They called their relatives to check if he was with them. However, their search ended at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital’s mortuary. 

Twenty-year-old Dalbir Singh had come to Delhi four months ago to earn his livelihood. The family suggested he join a sweet shop; he was hired to pack sweets. “The rioters raided the shop, looted it and murdered him. The young boy was butchered. We were told by our neighbours that he was attacked," his family told NewsClick.  

Munis, a 22-year-old daily-wage laborer, was attacked in Yamuna Vihar when he was returning home with sweets for his family. Munis' father works in a banquet hall in the Samaypur-Badli area. The family lived in a rented accommodation in Mustafabad. 

Ayub, a rag picker, used to earn his livelihood by segregating plastic, iron and disposable items. A resident of Buddh Vihar near the Loni Border, he was compelled to go work after his savings had been exhausted due to his physically disabled child. His friend, Shakir Malik, told NewsClick that an injured Ayub was brought in by two persons. He succumbed to his injuries when they took him to hospital. 

The stories of Aquib, Shahid, Prem Singh, Dalbir Singh and many others show that the victims of Delhi’s violence were not just poor, but also had nothing to do with affecting the violence that began on February 23. Interestingly politicians like Kapil Mishra, who allegedly instigated violence, has been accorded Y+ Security. Under Y+ security cover, Mishra will be protected by 11 security personnel of the Delhi Police.

A history of riots suggests that victims disproportionately belong to the working class.  Interestingly, their families said that the workers were returning home or closing down their establishments when they were attacked.