2020 Delhi Riots: No compensation for Muslim victims even after five years
New Delhi: Five years after the 2020 Delhi riots, a report by Karwan-e-Mohabbat has revealed that survivors, predominantly Muslims, have not received adequate compensation, despite multiple approvals by the North East Delhi Riots Claims Commission (NEDRCC). The report, The Absent State: Comprehensive State Denial of Reparation and Recompense to the Survivors of the 2020 Delhi Pogrom, highlights systemic failures by both the state and Union governments.
According to the report, Muslims were the most affected community in the riots, with 114 cases of property damage, 25 injuries, and a total of 139 cases recorded. In contrast, only five cases—three of property damage and two of injuries—were reported from other communities. Despite the Delhi government initially requesting ₹153 crore for relief, only ₹21 crore was sanctioned, and no compensation has been disbursed.
The commission, established to assess property losses, has neither conducted public hearings nor engaged with survivors. Many victims who submitted claims were not given receipts, leaving them uncertain about the status of their applications. An RTI filed by Karwan-e-Mohabbat seeking details on evaluation procedures received no response. Of the 146 documented cases for compensation, 81% involved property damage and 18% physical injuries, yet none resulted in payments.
The report also criticised the Delhi government's approach, noting that no dedicated relief camps were set up initially, and pre-existing homeless shelters were repurposed instead. Compensation amounts for riot victims were significantly lower than those given after the 1984 anti-Sikh violence, with the Delhi government transferring the responsibility to NEDRCC via the High Court instead of addressing it directly.
Muslims, who suffered the most, continue to face financial hardships, medical emergencies, and disruptions in education. Many remain unaware of compensation procedures due to poor communication and shifting deadlines. The report further notes that while police investigations led to the arrest of Muslim activists, politicians who made incendiary speeches remain unpunished.
Bureaucratic delays and government inaction have prolonged the distress of survivors, leaving them without justice or financial support even five years after the violence.
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Jawan found dead in CRPF camp in J-K's Shopian
Srinagar (PTI): A CRPF jawan died inside a camp in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Wednesday.
Head constable Surinder Singh, who hails form Hyderabad, fell unconscious late Tuesday night at the Zainapora Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Shopian, the officials said.
Singh was shifted to Zainapora hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
Police has taken cognizance of the incident and started proceeding to ascertain cause of Singh's death.
