APCR releases fact-finding committee's report on Ram Navami violence in Bihar Sharif, Sasaram
Patna: Bihar Sharif and Sasaram witnessed the worst violence during the Ram Navami processions this year. Mobs attacked the properties of Muslims and set their homes on fire, which led to severe damage to their homes, livelihood, and shelter. The violence intensified when the crowd set fire to the 100-year-old Azizia Madarsa, destroying 4500 books. Local shops and vendors also suffered significant property losses. The violence occurred despite a peace meeting held a few days before Ram Navami.
To investigate the matter, the Association for Protection of Civil Rights Fact-Finding Team visited the affected area and recorded the testimonies of families who sustained injuries and suffered financial loss. The fact-finding revealed a complete failure of the state and how Bajrang Dal members hoisted their flags in the presence of the police, who did nothing to stop them. The police arrived five to six hours after the violence started, and the administration failed to comply with the agreed-upon directives.
The report puts forth several recommendations, urging the state government to compensate the victims of violence who have lost their livelihood and shelter and were severely attacked by Bajrang Dal goons.
Several speakers spoke at a press conference highlighting the planned nature of the violence, expressing concern over the lack of accountability of those responsible, including politicians. They emphasized the importance of fact-finding and detoxifying the community from hatred. They also stressed the importance of secularism and political action to counter the violence.
Prashant Tandon, a veteran Journalist observed that the recent violence during Ram Navami in Bihar, specifically in Bihar Sharif and Sasaram, was preplanned and concurrent. They mentioned that in 2018, similar violence occurred, but it was controlled by following directives from the peace committee, such as avoiding provocative songs and weapons, which were approved by the administration.
Mobashshir Aneeq, Advocate referred to a 2018 report with recommendations, but noted that in 2023, there was a lack of on-ground implementation of the peace committee's directives. He highlighted that the violence caused significant damage, and questioned the silence of local politicians and the biased actions of the police.
Bhasha Singh, Journalist emphasized the importance of fact-finding to counter fake news and highlighted the planned nature of the violence, expressing concern over the lack of accountability of those responsible, including politicians. She also mentioned the use of festivals for political gain and the potential radicalization of unemployed youth.
John Dayal, Social Activist highlighted the issue of Islamophobia, stating that it is a ticking time bomb that is destroying the country. He mentioned instances of schools and communities promoting Islamophobia, and the need for secularism and political action to counter the violence. He also stressed the importance of fact-finding and detoxifying the community from hatred.
Professor Apoorvanand stated that Ram Navami processions in Bihar have been used as a weapon to incite violence against Muslims, with reports showing a pattern of destruction of Muslim homes and businesses. Police must be held accountable and the Hindu community should take initiative to prevent their children from participating in such violence.
Urmilesh, Senior Journalist stated that Bihar is not an exception when it comes to violence during festivals, particularly Ram Navami processions. Lack of efforts by the administration and political polarization contribute to the problem. Weapons are used and bought, and better political party efforts are needed to control such violence.
Sanjay Hedge, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court emphasized that private reports may not have an immediate impact, but they contribute to long-term change. The struggle against memory and the powerful who do not want us to remember is ongoing. Change is needed not only in Bihar but across the country to achieve hope and liberty.
In a unanimous voice, all the speakers expressed concern over the preplanned violence during Ram Navami in Bihar, the lack of implementation of directives, the issue of Islamophobia, and the need for fact-finding and political action to address the violence and promote secularism.
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Putin meets Iran's FM Araghchi, says Russia ready to do its best to help bring peace to West Asia
Moscow (PTI): Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday met Russian President Vladimir Putin, who hailed the Iranian people for fighting bravely and heroically for their sovereignty and said Moscow is ready to do its best to help bring peace to West Asia as soon as possible.
Araghchi, who held talks with Omani and Pakistani leadership before arriving in Russia, met Putin in St. Petersburg and thanked him for supporting Iran, state-owned TASS news agency reported.
"Russia is ready to do everything in its power to ensure that peace in the Middle East is achieved as soon as possible," Putin said during his meeting with Araghchi, which was also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Revealing that he received a message from Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei last week, Putin asked Araghchi to convey his "gratitude for this message and best wishes for his health and well-being."
He praised the Iranian people for fighting "bravely and heroically" for their sovereignty, Iran's state-run PRESS TV reported.
"We really hope that, based on the courage and desire for independence, the Iranian people, under the guidance of the new leader, will weather this difficult period of trials and peace will come,” Putin said.
He also stressed that Russia “intends to maintain” its strategic relations with Iran.
Araghchi said that the world witnessed Iran’s strength in countering the US during the recent war, and that the Islamic Republic is a "stable and powerful establishment."
"With their courage, the Iranian people succeeded in resisting the US aggression and will be able to endure it,” he said.
He said that it became clear that Iran has “great friends and allies” like Russia, and conveyed “warmest greetings” from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian to the Russian leader.
Araghchi said relations between Moscow and Tehran represent a “strategic partnership at the highest level” and will continue to develop "regardless of circumstances."
"We are grateful to you for the solid and strong positions in support of the Islamic Republic of Iran," he said.
Foreign Minister Lavrov said that the talks between President Putin and the Iranian Foreign Minister were "useful and constructive."
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov later said that Russia is "ready to provide any good offices, any mediation services that are acceptable to the parties."
"We will be ready to do everything so that ultimately peace ensues, guaranteed peace, and that there is no return to hostilities," Peskov was quoted as saying by TASS.
He was asked how Moscow can assist in future negotiations on the Iranian settlement.
Araghchi arrived in Russia after his whirlwind trip to Islamabad, which, according to him, was “very productive” and involved “good consultations" with Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, amid uncertainty over the second round of peace talks to resolve the war in West Asia.
"We held good consultations with our friends in Pakistan. The trip was successful. We assessed the outcome of our recent (meetings) and discussed in what direction and under what conditions talks can move on,” Araghchi said in a video posted on his Telegram channel upon his arrival in St Petersburg.
Referring to the second round of talks between the US and Iran to resolve the conflict in West Asia, Araghchi said: "Developments have taken place in the negotiations."
"Despite some progress in earlier rounds, the talks failed to reach their objectives due to the Americans' approach, the excessive demands they made, and the wrong approaches they adopted. Therefore, it was necessary to consult with our friends in Pakistan to review the latest situation,” Iran's official news agency IRNA quoted him as saying.
He said that the trip to Pakistan was a good opportunity to review developments related to the US-Israeli war against Iran, expressing confidence that “these consultations and coordination between the two countries will be highly significant.”
Araghchi arrived at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport early Monday, where he was welcomed by Russian officials and Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, the report said.
The first round of peace talks between Iran and the US, held on April 11 and 12, failed to bring the desired result for the parties to the conflict.
The Iranian minister arrived in Islamabad for the second time on Sunday after a short visit to Oman, where he held talks with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said on security in the Strait of Hormuz and diplomatic efforts to end the Iran-US conflict.
After Araghchi left Pakistan for Oman on Saturday, President Donald Trump announced that US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would no longer be going to Islamabad for talks with Iran, contending that Washington held all the cards on the matter.
Trump on Sunday reiterated that the US and Iranian officials can talk by phone for a peace solution to the conflict.
On Tuesday, Trump extended the two-week ceasefire with Iran indefinitely to give Tehran more time to prepare a unified proposal to end the war, just hours before the truce was set to expire.
The war began when the US and Israel jointly attacked Iran on February 28, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top commanders. The retaliation by the Islamic Republic extended the war to the entire Gulf region.
