Many survivors spoke about how those who helped them were now threatening to evict them if they did not follow their diktats
Sixteen years after they were first displaced following the 2002 riots that followed the Godhra Train carnage, several survivors are not just battling lack of basic facilities but also struggling to get their house titles to their own names.
At a meeting held to discuss the various issues faced by those living in colonies set up for riot victims, many survivors spoke about how those who helped them were now threatening to evict them if they did not follow their diktats.
Though these people have been living in the shanty colonies for over 16 years and many lack titles to their house, it keeps them away from paying various benefits including those of home and educational loans.
Shamshad Pathan of Jan Sangharsh Manch (JSM) an organisation that was at the forefront of fighting several legal battles for the riot victims said that many of the colonies were set up by charity money. "A number of religious organisation bought land or built the shelters on donated land. However, there have been several financial irregularities over the years. The worst of all is the refusal of these organisations, or even landowners to give the title of the respective houses to those who live in them," said Pathan.
Recounting a tale of such a colony in Himmatnagar, where land was bought with the help of charity money for Rs4 lakh, he said: "It was a very excessive land.... Later, all riot victims who got houses there were asked to pay Rs 8,000. They are yet to get title to their own houses."
Jignesh Mevani, Vadgam MLA, who was also one of the speakers, said that the Gujarat model did not have any space for Dalits and Muslims in their heart.
"I know a lot of your problems can be solved if the government intervenes. But let me tell you, this government will not budge until you show them your power," said Mevani.
He urged leaders of each of the 83 such residential colonies across Gujarat to join him so that they could lead a march towards Gandhinagar.
Aslam, a resident of one of the colonies in Anand, said how the 70 to 80 houses in the colonies were living without any water or gutter line facilities.
Mem Khan, another dweller of one of the colonies, said often the religious committee that helped set up the colonies would impose their brand of beliefs on them. "They don't want us to play music during weddings, they dictate where we bury our dead and how we live our lives. If we oppose they threaten to get us thrown out of the colonies," said Khan.
REMEBERING RUINS
Recounting a tale of such a colony in Himmatnagar, where land was bought with the help of charity money for Rs4 lakh, he said: “It was a very excessive land.... Later, all riot victims who got houses there were asked to pay Rs 8,000. They are yet to get title to their own houses.”
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