SFG: GME010
Duration: 01:02:24; Aspect Ratio: 1.333:1; Hue: 170.723; Saturation: 0.023; Lightness: 0.451; Volume: 0.235; Cuts per Minute: 0.304; Words per Minute: 68.346
Summary: This video is part of a collection documenting the events of three days in #AD4, a slum colony in Ahmedabad city, after the burning of Hindu activists on the Sabarmati Express at Godhra station on Feb 27th, 2002.
The Godhra killings were shocking in themselves, but the Hindu right-wing's systematic targeting of Muslim citizens for three days after Godhra shook the faith of all who had believed the country to be a secular democracy where the rule of law is upheld (for the most part), by the State.
For three days – Feb 27th, 28th and March 1st - the state government and state police allowed the right-wing mobs to "retaliate". They raped, looted, burned and murdered freely. We know this through thousands of first-hand accounts related by the victims and witnesses of the rampaging mobs and indifferent government agencies.
About a month after the post-Godhra carnage, citizen journalists formed the Shared Footage Group that travelled through the relief camps, decimated slums and housing societies to record people’s accounts of what happened in those three days. The stories are varied. Victims in some cases comprised Dalit Hindus, and saviours, in some instances, included local political leaders and policemen with a conscience.
The story of this Basti, (locality) told through these events here, is relatively painless. Relatively, because people lost everything they possessed, but remained alive. Here is their telling of what happened to them in their own homes in those 'days of calamity' or "qayamat ke din".
See other videos documenting the events at #AD4:
From One Basti in Ahmedabad
Social activist (#MN25) in blue shirt
Interview
Record: Interview 1 (i1)
Related Clips:
link to first part of interview in gme009
Shot on 20.08 03:30pm
Type Details:
#MN25, M approx 45
#AD4 story
#AD4, Ahmedabad
interview with #MN25 contd. from GME009
Interviewer seeks the social worker's point of view on different aspects of why the riots took place
The activist draws attention to the publicly stated ideology of the RSS and how it has surfaced in Gujarat; so also the VHP. He speaks of unemployment; of mill workers rendered jobless and their desperate attempts to stave off hunger. They weren't allowed to become hawkers or own lorries either. Forces like the VHP, RSS and the Bajrang Dal had their own agenda; they had an eye on usurping political power, of mapping out a different Gujarat in consonence with their ideology. Keshubhai Patel was removed on the pretext of dissatisfaction within the rank and file of the party. But it was actually to foist Narendra Modi on the people; he was brought here in a huge procession.
People want a Chief Minister who can safeguard their life and property; who can ensure that they earn their livelihood; that they can sleep peacefully.
But Mr. Narendra Modi did what he was sent here for- he engineered Riots. There are riots all over the world, but these were different; they were designed to kill Muslims; to eliminate them.
VHP, RSS and the Bajrang Dal slaughtered the minorities, but this time they did it with Police support. BJP's motive in Gujarat became apparant; they instigated riots on one hand and declared elections on the other, even when elections were not due for another year. Post riots, they wanted to encash the Hindu sentiments, and were not bothered whether the minority voted for them or not. Elections would put them in power for 5-years, which would give them enough time to make Gujarat their role-model for the rest of the country. They were eyeing the Centre.
But people are begining to see through them, both Hindus and Muslims. Their machinations had nothing to do with the Godhra incident. Coming days will reveal the truth of Godhra. People want to know the reality behind the Godhra incident.
In the name of Godhra, 50,000 homes, small businesses were burnt to ashes; children were orphaned, women widowed. How can such a government be called honest? (Vehemently) No, this is a big blot on Gujarat.
Once thrown out of this place, what did the Mill workers do for a livelihood? Were they compensated? How did they survive?
Question repeated: What did the mill workers do after their mills closed down? What compensation did they recieve?
Once out, the mill workers had no options. They found no employment so some became hand cart ('laari') drivers, others set up small- time businesses. They had to survive. This too was not easy; Police and Civic authorities made it difficult for them. They had neither land nor money to set up shops. It was tough going for them once their mills closed.
what do you mean?
they were just about managing to survive.
You had distributed relief material on .....(?). How is your and your organisation's style of functioning different from that of the NGO's? You and NGO's worked on the same thing but you say that you are different. How?
I don't want to get into who does better work, us or the NGO's. Its only the people who have been victimized who can tell the difference between our efficacy. The NGO's seem to function within a limited parameter; we don't. They only work within their specific policy framework and for monetary considerations. We don't because we have no money. People seem to work in inverse proportion to the money one has, the more they have, the less they do. NGO's draw a lot of foreign funds, so can do a lot if they so wish. But they have their own compulsions; I see them seeking more publicity than giving help to the distressed, whether in an earthquake or a fire.
You spoke of a parameter that they work within. Whats that?
They are bound to a framework, to limitations; Its difficult for them to work freely. Maybe 10% do work freely but 90% don't. Still they are better than political parties. At least they do something. Leave alone the ruling party in the state, even the Congress that is in the Opposition, hasn't stepped into this locality (#AD4), to inquire how the people are surviving; not just here but all over the place. The Congress is super confident of the minority's vote. They should be working for the Minority's welfare, but they don't. So at least the NG's are better despite their limitations.
a
mentions locality
How do you differentiate yourself from the NGO's?
Thats a very pertinent question. NGO's are like merchants; they are completely bound by the dictats of money; they play money games whereas we don't even have a bank account. We work with what we have, here and now. We neither have money nor do we make any monetary promises. We have lawyers, Scientists, the Intelligentia working with us in an endeavour to provide maximum justice to the victims.
But NGO's working at the International level, have repeatedly videographed the situation here; they bring foreigners with them in fancy cars for these Video shoots. They click pictures from every vantage point and every possible emotional angle. I had to stop them since it raises false hopes in the riot victims, of some relief coming their way. They just walk away with their videos and there is no guarantee that the videos will not be misused. Its such a mockery of the victims.
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mentions his organisation
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mentions locality
How are you different?
They do all this, we don't!
what else needs to be done?
We want their houses to be reconstructed; their livelihood restored; a method collectively devised to prevent a repeat of what they have already been through.They have no one to turn to, which is why they keep yelling, screaming; calling out to the Almighty. And Its their faith in the Almighty that helps them cope with their fears. 'By God, if I didn't have the fear of God in me, I wouldn't call God, 'God'. '
?
may they be at peace; lead peaceful, meaningful lives, experience some freedom in a free nation. We were happy when Dr. Abdul Kalaam, India's 'Missile Man' visited these people. But, look at the irony of a free nation;even the media was debarred from meeting him. What freedom are we talking about? Isn't this a mockery of our freedom? D the poor really enjoy freedom in our nation? Every Prime minister of our country regains his/her senses once out of office. A few days back, 4-retired Prime Ministers of India, Inderjit Gujral, Mr. Dewa Gawda, Mr. Chandrashekhar and Mr. Narasimha Rao, met to express concern over the state of the poor man in the slums. They had never bothered when they were in office. Probably Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee too would like to add his name to this list of Prime Ministers.
a
gives his own name
Record: Visual 1 (v1)
Shot on 20.08
#AD301 story
#AD301, Ahmedabad
shot of #AD303 bridge, pan right to #AD301 basti, MS of destroyed houses
Record: Visual 2 (v2)
Shot on 20.08
#AD301 story
#AD301, Ahmedabad
shot of bridge towards #AD304, pan left to #AD301
LS of basti taken from over bridge. Pan left to follow the road leading from #AD301 to railway tracks.
Record: Visual 3 (v3)
Shot on 20.08
#AD301 story
#AD301, Ahmedabad
interviwer asks the lady (#FN24) to introduce herself and what she does for a living
a
gives her name
Interview
Interview with #FN24- hindu converted to islam in marriage
Record: Interview 2 (i2)
Shot on 20.08
Type Details:
#FN24, F, approx 40, #AD4
#AD4 story
#AD4, Ahmedabad
She says she has a small paan shop on the road near the Madarsa, and lives on the rear side of the Basti (#AD3 area)
a
gives location details
He asks her an account of the events of the 28th
We were here when it happened. We were not perturbed since our area had not witnessed anything untoward earlier. We stayed back on our social worker's assurance (#MN25) but we didn't let him go either. He had managed to get police help on earlier occasions to push back the mobs. But that day around 12 noon, despite the presence of the local Police Inspector, the mobs started burning shops in ront and then breaking a cycle shop. When we asked the police to have it stopped, we were told that it was not within their jurisdiction to do so. The mobs provoked us with swords and knives. Our boys, unarmed since we had no intent to fight, pelted stones and chased the mob away. The shops had been burnt down by then. On the 1st, mobs returned at 6am. We were advised by the social worker (#MN25) to leave our homes and run with our children; he assured that he would ensure nothing happened to our houses. Since we have been living here for over 25-30 years, we know people in the area (#AD27). They have always supported us; this time too they sheltered us for the night. Riots erupted again around 1. The local Police opfficial didn't help; in fact he instigated and aided the rioters; he asked them to get more reinforcements to chase out, and when the rioters surrounded us from all sides, he guided them into burning our homes. We had no choice but to run to safety with our childen. The government has done nothing to help us rebuild our lives.
a
mentions activist's name
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mentions activist's name
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mentions activist's name
a
mentions inspector #MN4
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mentions activist's and inspector #MN4's name
a
mentions nearby locality
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mentions activist's name
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mentions nearby locality
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mentions community
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mentions activist's name
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mentions nearby localities
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mentions inspector #MN4
when did you realize it was safer to run away?
On Friday the 1st, by 9 am our houses had been burnt. We rn away. From our refuge, we could only stand and watch them burn. everyone in our Basti was troubled, not just the Muslims. Everyone had been forced to seek shelter out of the basti. About 10-12 people including some activists and our boys stayed back to protect our homes.
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mentions nearby localities
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mentions locality
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mentions locality
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mentions nearby locality and saviour
Who did you seek refuge with?
A family there (points in the direction) helped alongwith some Hindu families, with one night's shelter and food for the children. We had nothing to cook food, and anyway no one was in the mood to eat.
This was on the 28th?
yes, but they too were threatened by the Bajrang Dal for supporting us. That's when they asked us to leave.
a
mentions locality
So did you come back here?
It was impossible to do so though each one wanted to pick up some belongings at least to be able to sleep. But everything had been burnt. Everyone ran out again and we were taken to the Relief Camp by some Muslim Activists for safety.
a
mentions nearby locality
Which direction did you take to escape?
a
mentions nearby localities while describing escape route
We had not thought of going to the Camp; the thought uppermost in the mind was to take the first train out. Riots had never affected this area before. Muslim boys standing along the route told us not to go towards the stationg, instead guided us towards their chawl to an open maidan area further away for safety. This went on till 5 pm.
a
mentions nearby locality
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mentions locality
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mentions inspector #MN4
How did you decide on this escape route?
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interviewer mentions nearby locality
Having lived there for 25-30 years, we knew that to be the only safe route.
a
mentions nearby locality
Was the camp already functioning when you reached?
No. For 3-4 days the boys supported by bringing food from their homes. Then help came from others; government relief too came in later.
a
mentions someone who helped them
4-days later?
Yes, 4-5 days later.
how long did you stay in the camp?
stayed in the camp for four and a half months. I have been here for about a month now.
What was it like in the camp?
we were well looked after in the camp plus were given small opportunities to earn some money too. They gave us milk pouches and atta etc. to sell. This met our meagre requirements like breakfast for children. After 2-3 months the government gave a cheque for Rs. 2200/-.
Cheque for what?
Repeats question about why the cheque for rs 2200/-
The Collector paid this amount for the destruction of our homes.
What was your damage?
We lost everything; we ran out barefeet; Not even a slipper could be saved. The government has given Rs. 2200/- for the material loss and Rs. 2500/- for the house. Support from other non-government organizations was much more.
a
interviewer mentions her name
The interviewer wants to know from her the history of their settlement in the past 25-30years.
a
mentions locality
the people of this area have always lived in harmony both with the Muslims and the Hindus; there has never been any communal conflict, even in small matters like children's fights. There has been no history of Hindu-Muslim riots.
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mentions locality and community
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mentions community
25-years ago, where did you all come from?
from Baroda, Kathiawad, we came and settled in tents in Maninagar. From there we were ousted and rehabilitated here in tents by the Municipal Corporation. This was the most inhospitable area then with not even the basic civic amenities. This has only changed in the last 5-years thanks to the efforts of some educated people.
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mentions community
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mentions community
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mentions nearby locality
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mentions activist's name
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mentions activist's name
you still don't have electricity?
Its like that from the beginning
How do you manage?
we borrow rom here and there. Actually we don't count. For the Governement, we are just a vote bank; they are not bothered about our problems. For us, every facility by the government, water, electricity, is illegal; only our votes are legal. This time we will not vote for the government; will show the government how our votes are important.
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mentions activist's name
he asks about her personal life specifically her marriage to a Muslim, and how her family took it.
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mentions community
My family did not accept my love marriage with a Muslim for 7-years. The family had been outcast from the society because of my marriage. We lived a hard life but didn't depend on anyone. Today we are secure and my family has accepted both of us.
Do your parents live here?
No, they live in Anand. This office space belonged to my father; my sister owned the land on which stands the Madarsa today.
How do you sustain yourself?
I run a small shop and he works as....(?) His eyesight is weak because of the welding jobs he does, so I want to start something else and make him stay at home. He is not able to ride a cycle anymore.
New Interviewee (#MN26) - Interviewer asks resident to identify himself
a
gives name and locality
Record: Interview 3 (i3)
Shot on 21.08 10:30am
Type Details:
35+, #MN26, M
#AD4 story
#AD4, Ahmedabad
interview with ex-mill worker
I have always lived here. I worked in the mill since 1976, but it closed down in 1986. Did odd jobs after that and now iron clothes.
when did you come to Ahmedabad?
I was born in Ahmedabad and have lived here since.
tell us about your background
parents came from Uttar Pradesh. I went to school here, and later worked in th Mill. After 10-years of service, the Mill closed down. I did odd jobs after that, drove a rickshaw, and now survive by ironing clothes. I have 5-children.
Any compensation when the mill shut down?
I received Rs.17000 -18000/- in the name of rehabilitation but nothing after that.
what did you do with it?
they are still promising to give money; when the land sells, the materials sell! They have already sold off all the machines. We didn't get anything from that sale. Now there are promises of money from land sale. We don't know what the owners or the Government wants to do.
Why did the mill shut down?
They say not enough production, but I don't agree with them. Other than that I don't know whether the owner shut it down or the government.
Were you permanent or ...
I was temporary, then got PF status; I wasn't permanent
what did you do thereafter?
Was a rickshaw driver for 7-8 years, till falling businss forced me to learn how to iron clothes. Thats what I do for a living now.
What did you do with the money you received when you were removed from the Mill?
The Mills gave nothing;the government gave some rehabilitation money, which largely got used up to settle loans; about Rs. 17-18000/-. balance was used to repair the house.
asks him if their Chawl too got affected by the riots?
Oh Yes; the riots were bad!
Tell us about what happened on the 28th
28th was bad but it was worse on the 1st. All the shops outside were burnt. The rioters were about 5000. The police didn't help. Even the local MLA expressed his inability to help. The government, he said, wasn't listening to them so the people should try and save themselves as best as they could. He was a Congress MLA while the government was of the BJP.
So what did you do?
What could we do? We tried our best to save ourselves, then sought refuge in the clinic close by, till the Military (Army) came in the evening and rescued us.
did you then go to the camp?
No we stayed back, and after that first round of rioting, I went off to the village. I wasn't here for the second round, so don't know what happened then.
why did your father come here from UP?
he came seeking work; got employed in Budhi (?) Mill and stayed back.
He did not have agricultural land in UP?
Yes, it is there.
have you thought of going back
I am settled here now. Haven't thought about going back; maybe someday I will go back
If he had land then why did your father come away seeking work?
That only he can tell
you keep going back?
yes I do, once a year; have just got back after 4-months there.
Is life easier in a city or is it better to go back t a life of agriculture in the village?
I have lived here since birth so I like the city better. The village has a lot of problems; lots of physical discomforts unlike a city with all its facilities.
New Interviewee (#MN27) in the same room - Interviewer asks new resident to identify himself
Record: Interview 4 (i4)
Shot on 21.08
Type Details:
40+, #MN26, M, add: #AD34
#AD4 story
#AD4, Ahmedabad
interview with ex-mill worker, #AD34 in #AD4
a
gives name and address
I live in this Chawl
what do you do?
worked as a 'Badli kamgar' for 10-years in the Mill and later for one year as a permanent employee there till the mill closd down in 1986. was unemployed thereafter since not skilled for anything else. Started rolling Beedis, as earlier. Received some 'unemployed- wages' for 5-6 years, so managed somehow. Still unemployed but does odd jobs to sustain. Had started driving a hand cart ('laari') but that was burnt during the riots; so was his house. Hasn't received any compensation from the government as yet.
Were you in the camp?
Yes, I was there for some time, and then sent family back to the village in UP.
when did you come from UP?
In 1960 and have been here ever since.
Since 1960, what have you done?
My father died when I was 3-years old. Came to live with my Uncle here. He put me through schooling, got me married, and ensured I learnt some skills. Got a job in the mill. He then separated me. I worked there as a 'Badli worker' for 10-years, then became permanent, but the mill closed after one year. Since then I have been very troubled.
Why do you think the mill closed?
I don't know why the owners closed it?
as an employee you too have some rights?
They gave all kinds of reasons, but production was not one of them. Production was never low. God only knows what the owners and the government had in mind.
The Mill is closed but we are still wearing clothes (cloth is still being manufactured)?
Thats true. There used to be 62 mills here out of which only 4 are functioning today.
So where is it being manufactured?
I don't know but cloth is definitely being manufactured somewhere.
Interviewer presses him for an answer on why the mills closed if low production was not the reason
we don't know what transpired between the owner and the government. Why they shut it down, I don't know
when the mill closed, did you get any compensation
I got about Rs. 17-18000/- when the mill closed. Nothing after that.
what did you do thereafter?
Just sat at home and lived off this money for a while; then did odd jobs; put some money in the hand cart ('laari') but that too got damaged; the house too got burnt. I haven't received anything for that from the government, and nobody even comes to see its condition. To move to this house I got Rs. 2500/-. The Government hasn't really helped me.
You were a Union leader when you worked for the mill
Yes I was with the Union but even the Union didn't help.
What do they say about what happened?
They haven't even bothered to come leave alone provide any succour. The mill is closed now so they don't stand to gain anything from us. If the mill was working they would all have been after us trying to get whatever they can squeeze out of us.
Are you still active with Union activities?
Not at all, The mill is shut now so there is no question of it
Have you considered legal action against the mill?
No one joins and one man alone cannot fight; it needs money too. We don't have money to eat, forget about legal action.
You used to roll Bidis before and after working in the mill
Yes. I joined my wife and children in this rolling bidis business. This sustained us for a while. 5-6 years later when I received some compensation from the Mill, I bought this house and undertook some repairs. Later I stopped rolling bidis and started driving a hand cart ('laari'), but my family continues the business.
For whom do you roll Bidis or do you sell them yourself?
we work for the contractor, and get paid for the amount of bidis rolled. We don't sell directly.
How much do you earn in a day?
my wife does it in her spare time, so earnings vary from Rs. 7 to 10, 15, 20/- I had my handcart ('laari') business but that too has shut down, so our troubles hav mounted.
what happened on the 28th
On the 28th, our chawl's entire rear side was burnt down. There was arson again on the 1st and then on the 3rd, our houses were burnt down. My house was burnt.
when did you come to this Chawl?
I have lived here since 1960.
In this chawl?
Yes, here.
But you said that you were with your uncle?
My Uncle used to live here
Who owns this chawl? Are you a tenant here?
a
mentions proprietor of house
Yes, I pay rent
was he a mill owner
No, he is a land owner, not a mill worker
Was this chawl made for the Mill workers?
Not for mill workers. This chawl is very old; probably from my great-grandfather's time, so one doesn't know who it was made for. I only know the current owner.
where did you live after your house was burnt down?
Staying in the same house; have just called my family back from the village, in the hope that this will get re-built soon. Several Muslim committees have promised to get it done but nothing has happened so far. For now, we live in a small covered portion of the house, the rest is all open. There has been no compensation from the government. we are really troubled.
#AD4 story
#AD4, Ahmedabad
Shot on 21.08
Type Details:
40+, #MN28
interview with ex-mill worker
Record: Interview 5 (i5)
New Interviewee in grey printed shirt (#MN28) - Interviewer asks him to introduce himself and where he stays
The man says he is an agarbatti seller and has been staying in the Mill's Chhapra (?) for 40-years. This area was not very habitated then.
a
gives name and address
Where did you come from?
I came from District Jalgaon, in search of employment. My father worked in the Mill, and after him, I worked there for 25-years. Later we had problems in the Mill; we weren't paid our salaries on the pretext that there wasn't enough sale of cloth. We protested for our rights and held back the owner. The police came. Demanding our rights, we sat in front of the police vehicles. They supported our demands but did nothing more than that. Angered by our protests, the owner's son shut down the mill. The father was a fine man, not so his son. This was 16-years ago. So many workers died in penury, without their dues. Nobody has been able to resolve this problem with the owner, not even the government.
You did not take legal action
We have filed a case in The High Court, but there too we have got no relief. The court just keeps posting our case to a new date; 16-years have passed thus. So many workers died of poverty on the footpath, others are starving after the riots. This is what the Mill Owners and the governmen have done to them.
Did you receive any compensation when you were thrown out?
The government paid us Rs. 23000/- for our unemployed status.
what is the current status of your mill?
The mill is a ruin; its a jungle today. There are few security men around. The Owner engineered robbery of his own material.
where did the machines go?
They got the machines too stolen; rest they sold to the goverment through contractors.
after leaving the mill, what did you do?
i make agarbattis for survival.
to date is that what you do?
I was doing that till it all got burnt; now I have nothing to do. I have no money to start anything. I can't do anything with the Rs. 7000/- cheque that I received. Have already suffered a loss of Rs. 50000/- in the last 5-6 months. I didn't go seeking ais anywhere either. I have received refuge here in te past 5- months with these social workers.
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mentions activist's name
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mentions activist's name
your family is also here?
Yes.
Do you make and sell these agarbattis?
No I buy them and sell them in other cities and villages, not in Ahmedabad.
do you sell them to shops?
No, I go house to house in these villages.
who buys them?
Public buys; residents. I don't sell to shops.
Did you have agricultural land in Jalgaon when you came here with your father
We came here lookig for employment; there was nothing in the village. My father and his 4 brothers fought over their land so father came here to work in the mill.
So you were ....
I was very young then
where did you stay then
we stayed here (in #AD4) even then
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mentions locality
How old were you when you joined the mill?
I was 15
How long did you work there?
I worked for 25-years.
Didn't receive any money?
Just got this Rs 23000/-, the Provident Fund of 10-15000/- and Rs. 500/- as relief every month from the government. Nothing else.
Do you still get this monthly relief?
No, Not now; earlier
what did you do with the money?
Used it for business
you invested it the agarbatti business
Yes
You get them from Jalgaon?
No, I get it from a guy from my village, here in Ahmedabad
what happened here on the 28th?
I was away on work.
when did you get back?
I came when peace returned after the riots
there were no riots where you had gone?
No nothing. It was peaceful there
You heard about it?
yes, I also saw it on TV
You must have been worried?
Yes of course.
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