By Meena Menon

1. Narratives of Survival andNarratives of Survival and
State Response in theState Response in the
Mumbai riotsMumbai riots
1992-931992-93
Meena MenonMeena Menon

2. Sarai Fellowship - 2007Sarai Fellowship - 2007
Recovering LostRecovering Lost
Histories Riot victims,Histories Riot victims,
communal polarizationcommunal polarization
of Mumbai,of Mumbai,
its impact on peopleits impact on people
and perceptionsand perceptions
aboutabout
communitiescommunities

5. Impact of RiotsImpact of Riots
900 killed, 645 missing, officially 173900 killed, 645 missing, officially 173
Thousands rendered homelessThousands rendered homeless
Crores lost in destruction of property andCrores lost in destruction of property and
businessbusiness

9. Impact of Riots – 20 Years LaterImpact of Riots – 20 Years Later
Polarisation of communitiesPolarisation of communities
Loss of Livelihood, economic hardshipLoss of Livelihood, economic hardship
Disillusionment and alienationDisillusionment and alienation
Formation of new ghettosFormation of new ghettos
Lack of JusticeLack of Justice
Mental trauma and lingering sense of lossMental trauma and lingering sense of loss

10. Tahir WagleTahir Wagle

13. Using RTI for cases against BalUsing RTI for cases against Bal
ThackerayThackeray
First RTI application in Dec 2004 rejectedFirst RTI application in Dec 2004 rejected
under section 8.under section 8.
First appeal rejected in Jan 2006 butFirst appeal rejected in Jan 2006 but
second appeal allowed by CIC .second appeal allowed by CIC .
May 2007 replies from Mumbai police -May 2007 replies from Mumbai police -
eight cases against Thackeray, foureight cases against Thackeray, four
withdrawn, two closed for lack of evidencewithdrawn, two closed for lack of evidence
and two cases had chargesheets delayedand two cases had chargesheets delayed

14. CIC orderCIC order
Second appeal heard by CIC and his finalSecond appeal heard by CIC and his final
order in October 2010 saying text oforder in October 2010 saying text of
orders withdrawing the case etc can beorders withdrawing the case etc can be
given to megiven to me
More delaying tactics and replies startedMore delaying tactics and replies started
in January 2011, seven years after myin January 2011, seven years after my
RTI. Almost 20 cases under 153A of IPC.RTI. Almost 20 cases under 153A of IPC.
In 2000 Home dept asked for all casesIn 2000 Home dept asked for all cases
against Thackeray. Till date no permissionagainst Thackeray. Till date no permission
for prosecutionfor prosecution

15. Tahir Wagle caseTahir Wagle case
Fourth investigation report in 2012Fourth investigation report in 2012
disbelieves eye witness evidence anddisbelieves eye witness evidence and
says no case made out against police forsays no case made out against police for
the death of Shahnawaz Wagle in Januarythe death of Shahnawaz Wagle in January
1993 outside his home. His sister Yasmin1993 outside his home. His sister Yasmin
saw him being shot but no complaint wassaw him being shot but no complaint was
made and this brazen cover up as Justicemade and this brazen cover up as Justice
Srikrishna called it, will remain exactlySrikrishna called it, will remain exactly
that.that.

16. Crime and no punishmentCrime and no punishment
In the case of Suleiman Bakery , SupremeIn the case of Suleiman Bakery , Supreme
Court upheld the trial court and high courtCourt upheld the trial court and high court
conclusion that none of the policemenconclusion that none of the policemen
though armed had fired a single bullet.though armed had fired a single bullet.
In the case of Star Metal works, the TADAIn the case of Star Metal works, the TADA
court acquitted accused for lack ofcourt acquitted accused for lack of
evidence. Nine people including twoevidence. Nine people including two
children were burnt to deathchildren were burnt to death

17. Missing personsMissing persons
Outside Vile Parle station, sandwichedOutside Vile Parle station, sandwiched
among vegetable vendors, Rashidaamong vegetable vendors, Rashida
Kotawala has been mending bags everKotawala has been mending bags ever
since her husband went “missing” in thesince her husband went “missing” in the
riots, along with his brother, never toriots, along with his brother, never to
return. “If I had sat still hoping for hisreturn. “If I had sat still hoping for his
return, we would have gone hungry,” shereturn, we would have gone hungry,” she
says.says.

19. No hawking licenceNo hawking licence
Today her elder son Hussain is studying toToday her elder son Hussain is studying to
be a surgeon while the younger one isbe a surgeon while the younger one is
doing ayurvedic medicine. Interest freedoing ayurvedic medicine. Interest free
loans from her community, the Bohras,loans from her community, the Bohras,
helped her educate her children. Her onlyhelped her educate her children. Her only
fear is the civic demolition squad whichfear is the civic demolition squad which
keeps confiscating her bags and otherkeeps confiscating her bags and other
materials, since she doesn’t possess amaterials, since she doesn’t possess a
hawking license.hawking license.

20. Justice for Terror AttacksJustice for Terror Attacks
While the state set up a designated courtWhile the state set up a designated court
under the Terrorist and Disruptiveunder the Terrorist and Disruptive
Activities(prevention) act (TADA) court toActivities(prevention) act (TADA) court to
try the cases of the serial blasts of Marchtry the cases of the serial blasts of March
12, 1993, which resulted in 10012, 1993, which resulted in 100
convictions in 2007, the riot victims hadconvictions in 2007, the riot victims had
nowhere to seek justicenowhere to seek justice

21. State Response to RiotsState Response to Riots
Lack of seriousness in dealing with cases.Lack of seriousness in dealing with cases.
Two review committees to look at closedTwo review committees to look at closed
cases, only one politician convicted.cases, only one politician convicted.
Chargesheets not filed in time. Police notChargesheets not filed in time. Police not
protecting witnesses. Protecting theprotecting witnesses. Protecting the
perpetrators as in the case of Hari Masjidperpetrators as in the case of Hari Masjid
by not filing FIR till court orders in 2008.by not filing FIR till court orders in 2008.
Impunity for police and politicians who areImpunity for police and politicians who are
named in the Srikrishna Commissionnamed in the Srikrishna Commission

22. Police closed 1371 cases of thePolice closed 1371 cases of the
2267 cases2267 cases
Of the 1371, 112 cases wereOf the 1371, 112 cases were
reinvestigated and of this in eight casesreinvestigated and of this in eight cases
fresh chargesheets were filed, Of the 31fresh chargesheets were filed, Of the 31
policemen indicted by the Srikrishnapolicemen indicted by the Srikrishna
Commission 10 were punished afterCommission 10 were punished after
departmental inquiries, 11 were found notdepartmental inquiries, 11 were found not
guilty and one died. Cases on theguilty and one died. Cases on the
implementation of the Commission’simplementation of the Commission’s
report are still pending in the Supremereport are still pending in the Supreme
Court.Court.