Ramadhan is considered to be the holiest month for Muslims around the globe. It is a time of tranquillity in the homes of the people who observe fasts.
However, for residents of Sendhwa town in Madhya Pradesh, the Ramadhan of 2022 marked a period of tragedy and emotional turmoil that will be remembered for the rest of their lives.
Ramadan this year coincided with the Ram-Navami festival. It was a rare synchronization that had occurred after 33 years. On April 10, 2022, a procession was led by Hindu devotees from Bargaon to the Idgah- Jogiwara road area in Sendhwa town of Madhya Pradesh.
As per local eyewitnesses, the march was accompanied by hateful chants and songs intended to incite violence against Muslims. Tensions between the two communities were further kindled when a stone-pelting incident occurred near Hussaini Gate.
Amidst all this, several Muslim houses and shops were damaged and burnt. Numerous people lost their livelihoods and shelters in the aftermath the violent clashes that erupted in Sendhwa town of Barwani district in Madhya Pradesh.
46-year-old Shaista was frying samosas, when she heard bulldozers roaring near her house in the late evening of April 12. Shaista was unable to comprehend why they were there. She could see some policemen emerging in a tow from a van with JCBs and bulldozers. They were all looking at her house with lathis in their hands. Shaista was still trying to figure out what was happening when she saw the policemen signalling the bulldozers to demolish the house.
Shaista pleaded with the policemen to let her go inside to get her 17-year-old son, who was crippled and could not walk alone. Shaista’s son must have heard the commotion too. It is hard to imagine the emotional state of a helpless mother and the 17-year-old kid who was unable to save himself owing to his condition.
The police personnel paid no heed to her pleadings and continued with the demolition. They even pushed her aside when she persistently requested them. Fortunately, some neighbours came to help Shaista, and rescued her son.
Miles2Smile paid a visit to Shaista. While telling the tragedy that befell her, she could not hold back her tears. She earned a meagre income, which could never be enough to build a roof above her family again.
Shaista was filled with despondency when she saw the debris that was once supposed to be a humble abode that kept her family secure.
Seeing her distressed condition, Miles2Smile supported Shaista with 3 lakh rupees. Shaista’s face shone with hope as we gave her the aid. However, she was just one of the many helpless and traumatized individuals we met that day.
