We want peace and development, say Ayodhya Muslims

Ayodhya: Bahraich, which is 100 km from disputed site of Ayodhya, had felt the heat of communal fire stoked by the right wing organisations in December 1992.

For 25 years, the residents of this place have been living under fear. Development did not take place in all these years and livelihood of people has been destroyed due to communal riots.

After the demolition, people lost hope in the Congress party. Though this may not be true in case of all Muslims but there has been significant shift in the voting behavior of people. The Congress lost power in the state in the 1989 elections and has not won it back since.

Mulayam Singh Yadav ordered firing on kar sevaks in October 1990 when he was the Chief Minister, and 28 people died. This incident was condemned by Hindu groups, which derisively called him “Mulla Mulayam”.

AK Verma, director at the Kanpur-based Centre for the Study of Society and Politics said that “By his action, Mulayam was able to infuse a sense of security among the Muslims under his rule. They have remained loyal to him ever since.”

Since then UP Muslims who form one-fifth of the Population remained loyal to Samajwadi party which formed the government thrice after the Babri masjid’s demolition.

Aleem Khan, 62, village head of Wazeerpur, which falls on the main Bahraich-Bhinga highway, says that he wanted the issue to end before his death. “It’s been quite a long time since we are facing this issue and living in fear. I cannot bear it anymore.”