Religious riots: Muzaffarnagar’s pain

Dark memory: Irshad’s family managed to escape by night and sought refuge in a neighbouring Muslim village. — Photos by Team Ceritalah

SIX years ago, Irshad Ali’s family was forced to flee their home in Muzaffarnagar, in northern Uttar Pradesh (UP). They were among 50,000 Muslims who were displaced after the riots that killed 62 and injured scores of others. Muzaffarnagar has a population of over 500,000, of which more than 40% are Muslims.

Irshad recalls his quiet childhood growing up in Phugana, a little village some 100 kilometres from New Delhi. In the days leading up to the riots, Irshad remembers the hushed whispers and the sinister looks. Others were much less subtle.