13 Muslim Auto Rickshaw drivers are still struggling to limp back to usual business as their vehicles got damaged during communal tensions erupted in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur on June 7.
The trigger for the communal tensions was a WhatsApp status message put up by a youth glorifying 17th century Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and 18th century Mysore province ruler Tipu Sultan.
A bandh called by the right-wing organizations turned violent and the mob resorted to unrestrained stone pelting damaging hundreds of Muslim-owned vehicles, shops, and even homes.
Auto Rickshaw driver Irfan Mulla’s rickshaw was parked on the Bara Imambara road in the eerie silence that afternoon when it became an easy target for the mob. His auto rickshaw has incurred a loss of around 25 thousand rupees.
“The auto Rickshaw has been the only means of my family’s sustenance for many years”, the 39-year-old told Maktoob.
Mulla, the sole breadwinner of a family of four, has been an auto-rickshaw driver for over 15 years. He bought his rickshaw in instalments 5 years ago.
“I am done with paying all the instalments of my rickshaw a few months ago. I earn daily and that’s how our home functions. But ever since they damaged my vehicle, I am sitting at home,” he said.
He has filed a complaint at Laxmipuri Police Station and said that the police have taken his complaint and informed him verbally that a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered under several sections. But he is yet to receive a copy of the FIR.
“I don’t know whether I will get the compensation for my loss and damage done to my vehicle,” said Mulla.
Another Muslim Auto Rickshaw driver, Imran Shaikh, an eyewitness to the entire incident incurred losses of around 10 thousand rupees. Shaikh was at the spot where his auto was parked in Akbar Mohalla when police started the lathi charge to control the unruly violent mob, he ran towards his home to save his life.
He claims that the irate Hindu mobs were fanning out of Shivaji Showk and targeted Muslim-populated areas of Bada Imambada, Akbar Mohalla, and small lanes in Laxmipuri.
Vehicles belonging to Muslims were targeted particularly.
Shaikh told Maktoob, “They identified our autos by the names on it, I got my kids’ name inscribed on its windows, there were other autos too, but they were untouched.”
“I returned to the area after the mob was dispersed by the police and got to know my rickshaw is damaged, it is still at the mechanic’s shop for repairing,” he said.
Since June 7, he is earning through a rented auto rickshaw, which he will return after his own will be repaired. But to do that, he will have to work extra and save some money.
A Social Activist to Rescue
Meanwhile, Waseem Kumandan, a cricket coach turned social activist, is helping the drivers to revamp their auto-rickshaws so that they can return to their work at the earliest.
While speaking to Maktoob he told, “After the violence that unfolded on June 7, we identified at least 13 auto-rickshaws that were damaged and not in the position to run properly. Most drivers among them are only earning hand in their families and it was getting difficult for them to get their daily needs meet.”
“I along with my brothers raised the issue through social media and managed to gather some funds, which are being used to get their vehicles on the wheels again so they can continue earning their daily wages.
“It was no fault of theirs, the administration has failed them,” he added.
Kumandan has helped revamp 8 out of 13 autos so far and to look forward to getting the remaining, as soon as he will have enough funds.
Moreover, Kumandan believes that “All this is just politics fanned by political parties and few ‘big mouthed’ Hindu leaders and the people of Kolhapur are co-existing peacefully.”
Police Action
Vijay Koekar, Police station In-charge, Laxmipuri Police Station said to Maktoob that the investigation is still underway.
“We identified and detained offending people involved in the incident on the same day the violence occurred. We have taken the complaints made by people who have incurred losses and filed a ‘panchnama’ of the basis of witness testimonies, a required action will be taken,” the officer said.
When asked if any compensation will be given to those who incurred monetary losses, he said, “That can only be decided after the investigation is done.”
