Patna: Amid objections from his alliance partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar, has announced that the government will repair mosques and madaris damaged during the recent communal violence which gripped the state for about a fortnight.
Acting swiftly, the state government has already released a fund of Rs. 3.6 million to be used for repairing mosques, madaris and paying compensation to the victims of communal violence. The BJP, it may be noted that, has accused the Nitish Kumar government of showing partiality in its approach.
Of the total amount released, Rs. 200,000 will be used for the repair of Gudri mosque and Ziaul-Ulum Madrasa located in Samastipur district, a government official said. Both were targeted by the frenzied mob during the communal violence which rocked the district last month.
Likewise, the state government has also allotted Rs. 2.5 million to pay compensation to those whose shops were set ablaze by angry mob in Aurangabad district. As per reports, around 50 shops were torched or robbed by rioting mobs in the district which, elders said, never saw such level of communal frenzy in the past. The place reeled under communal violence for four days as the government had to battle hard to restore peace.
Another Rs. 850,000 has been released for compensating affected people in Nawada, another Bihar district which witnessed communal violence.
The BJP is questioning the Bihar government's decision. Ram Sumiran Singh, Samastipur district president of BJP, said, “Both communities have been hit by the violence. This is unfortunate that the government decided to compensate only a particular community.”
Referring to arrest of nine BJP supporters, he alleged that the administration was targeting people in impartial way.
As per reports, a total of nine districts faced communal violence during the Hindus festival of Ram Navami this year. A video of riots in Samastipur also went viral which shows Hindu extremists climbing on the Jama Masjid and hoisting saffron flag.
The riots in Bihar which later spread to other areas when son of Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choube led a procession in Bhagalpur. The process ended in calshes between Hindus and Muslims. Police later arrested the minister's son.
Nitish Kumar has also promised to maintain communal harmony at all cost. “I can’t tolerate communalism just as I have never compromised with corruption come what may,” the Bihar Chief Minister said.
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