1987 Meerut communal riots

The 1987 Meerut riots were a series of violent communal disturbances between Hindus and Muslims along with PAC in the Northern UP^[1] town Meerut which occurred from March to June 1987. It resulted in the death of more than 350 people.^[2]

Background

According to Online Encyclopedia of Mass Violence tension started in 1986 when the black seal of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was opened by the Government which angered some sections of the Muslims.^[3] Babri Masjid and RamJanmabhoomi controversy created huge communal tension in Uttar Pradesh.^[4]

Violence

Inflammatory speeches during rally held by Babri Masjid Action Committee during March 1987 created communal tension which led to communal clash in April leading to the deaths of 10 people. A murder of a Hindu man due to land dispute aggravated the community. The first acts of violence were between police and Muslim but later on became a communal riot. A Hindu shop owner was stabbed to death by Muslim rioters during violence between police and Muslims. Instigating speeches were given from Loudspeakers in the Imiliyan Mosque. Dozens were killed in the next few days as the riots spread to Modinagar. Estimated property loss was around 50 crores. Hindu and Muslim doctors faced the wrath of their own community for treating patients of other community.^[5]

According to People's Union for Civil Liberties, after a Muslim girl was crushed under police jeep; The mob became violent and police fired killed several people. A mill was attacked by a Muslim Mob killing almost dozen people and a Hindu doctor Dr Prabhat was burnt alive, who was, ironically going out to attend a call of a Muslim patient.His car was stopped and the mob in its senseless fury burnt him along with the car. This is doubly unfortunate because Shri Har Pal Singh, father of the deceased, even much later, continues to subscribe to his non-communal approach and was responsible for saving a few Muslim lives when Hindu mobs went on a rampage subsequently.^{[6] [7]} Muslim Mob on the Hapur Road burnt a petrol pump, and a timber godown belonging to Hindus.Some mischief makers got control of the loudspeaker on the mosque and started exhorting people to gather together and to save Islam.Later on Hindu mobs retaliated and attacked Muslim homes. It was alleged that the police was with Hindu mob and biased against the Muslims ^[8]

50 gazetted police officers and more than 60 companies of the PAC, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Army had to control the riots.^[9] Many Muslims were burnt alive in Maliana. Later on police picked up Muslim men and then they were shot dead, and their bodies thrown into the river.^[10]

Trials

In spite of 350 deaths, no one is convicted yet.^[11]

References