New Delhi: They could hear shots being fired, sense smell of property and vehicles being burnt and feel the stones being pelted. Despite the mayhem that unfolded just a few steps away from their doorsteps, many Muslim households did not feel unsafe due to their Hindu neighbours during the violence in Delhi earlier this week.
Tarannum, a resident of Chand Bagh, said she cannot thank her neighbour Nem Singh enough for saving 15 members of her family that fateful night of February 25. Singh, an auto-rickshaw driver, lives right across her house.
“I could hear the thumping on the door. Our neighbour came to rescue us and assured us that no harm would come to our family, ” said Tarannum who lives in lane number 7.
“We thought kayamat has come. Our kids too got scared. Those indulging in rioting are just terrorists. Hindu brothers gave us shelter and saved us. How should I say that they are Hindus or Muslims? When we were under attack, these Hindu brothers provided us safety. We should not fight, ” said Tarannum while recounting the horror.
She said a mob has no face, no religion.
“I want to tell everyone mob has no name, no religion. Kaun sa pathar kisne mara kisko laga pata hai kya? Pathar ne mazhab dekha kya? (Which stone was thrown by whom, who was hit, does anyone know. Stone does not have a religion,” she said.
Singh said he could not bear the wailings of his neighbour’s kids.
“Dar to tha par apni gali mein kisi ko pareshan nahi hone dena tha. (I too was afraid but I could not have let them hurt my neighbours), ” said Singh when asked if he could have also been attacked for giving shelter to Tarannum family.
“I told them that the rioters will have to go through us first. We all were equally scared,” recalled Singh.