In a disturbing wave of targeted communal intimidation and socio-economic boycotts, several Muslims have been forced to flee Pune district in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. A team of People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) members found a palpable climate of fear, shuttered businesses, disrupted lives, and displaced families in the Paud and Pirangut villages in Pune. These Muslim families have been living in these villages for over many decades.

A team of PUCL and APCR conducted a fact-finding exercise in both villages after reports of illegal posters calling for a boycott of non-native Muslims on the pretext of an alleged desecration of an Annapurna Devi idol on May 2, in Paud. At the BJP rallies, open threats were given to the Muslims of the village. The posters, along with threats and harassment, created a communal atmosphere, PUCL says, prompting them to submit a memorandum to Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandeep Singh Gill. 

The Muslim-owned businesses like bakeries, scrap shops, salons, and chicken shops continue to remain closed.  “Despite repeated complaints to the police, we’ve received no protection to reopen our businesses,” said owner of Roshan Bakery in Paud, during a press conference. The owner further added, “Our family has lived here for 40 years, yet we’re labelled outsiders because my father’s village is in Uttar Pradesh. We were warned not to reopen our bakery or face consequences.”  Besides Roshan Bakery, two others – New Sangam and New Bharat – have been padlocked, costing around 400 workers their daily wages.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)