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Tragically, these words of a Gujarat riot survivor do not seem to find an echo in the hearts of most indians. The contrast couldn't be more stark. Flashback to the Gujarat Earthquake in 2001. In a magnificient outpouring of compassion, India rose as one to rush relief supplies to the affected. It was a reaffirmation of the human spirit, of a concern for fellow citizens. Yet today when an entirely unavoidable tragedy is being played out in Gujarat, that fellow feeling is singularly lacking. This newspaper has recorded in chilling detail how a state government not only connived in the killing of its citizens but is resolutely refusing to help survivors. In fact, a state minister actually demanded that even the few relief camps which exist must be shut down as he feared it would provoke further communal voilence.
Perhaps nothing better can be expected from the narendra modi government. But where are the NGO's, other civil society groups, concerned citizens? After the earthquake, hundreds of ordinary people made their way there to pitch in with relief efforts. School children across the country campaigned to raise funds and material, corporates came forward with their largesse, the central government swung into action. The volume of relief material which poured into the state was so great that that administration actually had to turned down offers with the argument that excess aid would adversely affect the state's economy.
Today tens of thousands of terrified riot survivors are huddled in makeshift camps, even more have sought refuge in the homes of relatives. The only help that these desperate members are getting is from needy members of their own community,many of whom have lost their homes & loved ones in these riots. A cynical political class has sought to explain its unforgivable apathy with the question 'What about the victims of Godhra?' the task of rehabilitating the victims of Gujarat is in the favour of the Sangh's call to boycott Muslim businesses and deny work to them. Above all, it will involve counselling to overcome the trauma of having witnessed unspeakable horrors. Perhaps nothing will completely heal these scars, but the message going out to Gujarat is that India simply does not care. The National Human Rights commission has recorded in terrifying detail the vicious barbarism that was visited on a helpless minority. The few individuals who have had the courage to speak out have corroborated this. Our silence will only encourage the fundementalists who perpetrated the massacre of innocents. They will conclude, and perhaps rightly so, that they can get away with it. They will surmise that the reign of terror and fear that they have unleashed has paid off. The state government has made a vague statement about a relief package being worked out. Had there been a greater public display of concern for the needy, relief work would have been in full swing today. This apathy on the part of civil society is perhaps the greatest victory for the proponents of communal hatred. And the greatest loss for all of us who espouse civilised values.
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