#Ghetto or Mixed Neighbourhoods. A Thread.
I was born in a Muslim area. However, as soon as my father could afford, he built a house in 'Hindu' area, which was better & more developed. To begin wth, it had sewer line. So now we could have attached bathroom wth flush toilets 1/10
I was born in a Muslim area. However, as soon as my father could afford, he built a house in 'Hindu' area, which was better & more developed. To begin wth, it had sewer line. So now we could have attached bathroom wth flush toilets 1/10
Ours was d only Muslim house here. Old neighbours & well-wishers dissuaded my father, but he aspired for a better quality of life for himself & his family. 1 of my youngest uncles moved in with us. Two of my middle uncles stayed back in d #ghetto. D diff in r lifestyles grew 2/10
My uncles insisted v move back to r old home arguing tht a Muslim-dominated area would b safer. 'Who would dare enter this?' Nobody moved. We stayed where v were. d situated deteriorated. R neighbours started advising my father to leave; or at least send d women & kids away 4/10
Then they forewarned us tht r house would b attacked. And it was. One evening a mob, armed with stones and fire torches collected outside r gate shouting slogans. Then they started throwing stones, breaking most of the windows, vandalising our cars 5/10
All calls to police went unanswered. Finally, either tired or bored, the mob moved on. All of us were quaking with fear, but remained unharmed. Next morning, my teenaged cousin rang our bell. Convulsing with sobs, he had walked nearly 30 minutes to reach r house 6/10
D #PAC had carried out a cordon & search op in our mohalla. D houses were vandalised. All men, including my uncles and my cousin were picked up. An elderly constable had taken pity on my cousin & allowed him to jump from the jeep. From there he walked to r house to inform us 7/10
My father pulled all strings to ensure tht his brothers returned home tht evening, alive. Except for severe bruises all over their bodies, they were alright. No loss of limb or eyes. Other men of d neighbourhood returned ovr d next few days, a few were crippled 8/10
V still debate which could have been a safe place for Muslims. No easy answers here. But at least, r mixed neighborhood afforded us a better quality of life. Exposed us & r neighbours to one another. Hopefully, they have better understanding of Muslims. At least, it seems so 9/10
D #ghetto where we used to live is worse than before. Whoever can afford leaves, selling d house to d poorer. I don't know abt d sewer line, but d old nullah still flows behind d lane. D low hanging criss-crossing wires r a nightmare. That's not living. That's just existing 10/10
