“We Don’t Have Anything Left…” said Rashida standing on the rubbles of her home
Rashida stood helpless on the day of riots in Khargone on April 10th under the blazing sun as a bulldozer tore through her house.
During the Ram Navami celebrations in 2022, Khargone experienced a devastating outbreak of violence. What was intended to be a peaceful religious event quickly turned chaotic when two processions—one led by the Raghuvanshi community and the other by right-wing groups such as Bajrang Dal and Gauraksha Samiti—converged at Talab Chowk. The atmosphere was already tense, and soon clashes erupted, leading to widespread unrest across the city.
Following the violence, local authorities initiated a demolition drive, claiming it targeted illegal constructions. However, those affected had a different perspective. Many asserted that their homes and businesses were legally built, yet they were now witnessing the destruction of their livelihoods.
The drive disproportionately affected the Muslim community, leaving numerous families homeless and struggling to sustain themselves.
When we met Rashida, she was distraught. She neither had savings nor resources to build anything all over again. With nowhere to seek protection from scorching heat, her face was bleak with inexorable gloom. We quickly responded to her loss by arranging a generous amount through a fundraiser. Battling with a sappy and fickle mental-state, the financial relief she received from Miles2Smile brought solace in her life.
“Today I again have a roof over my head; I thought I would never have it again, but thanks to Miles2Smile.”
To read more about our Khargone relief work click: https://stories.miles2smile.org/category/khargone-2022/
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