‘What I have not seen is – CHANGE!’

The simmering wounds of the Batla House ‘fake' encounter are still fresh, even as the Congress scrapes through at Jamia Nagar

Samarth Pathak Delhi

The last two months have been nightmarish for the residents of Jamia Nagar, situated near the university of Jamia Millia Islamia in south Delhi. The area has been under scanner ever since the Batla House ‘encounter' whereby two youngsters, alleged to be ‘terrorists', were shot dead in the predominantly Muslim locality. The ‘encounter' - widely believed to be ‘fake' - became the centre of a nationwide political storm after locals, Jamia students, teachers, and civil society groups pointed out big holes in the version of the Delhi Police Special Cell. Two months later, the residents are still trying to come to terms with the killings and the subsequent developments which have shaken their lives. The stereotyping of the entire community as "terrorists", following the serial blasts across India, seems to have instilled a sense of fear.

Jamia Nagar is a cluster of seven "unauthorised" colonies. It is home to people from diverse backgrounds, spanning all strata of the society. A walk through the labyrinth of bylanes provides a glimpse of its demography. From students pursuing their higher education to migrant labourers and rickshaw-pullers supporting their large families; from IT professionals looking for security and affordability to government officials biding their time; from old-timers sitting in the balconies watching the hustle bustle in their gali to young blood from villages dreaming of making it big in life, Jamia Nagar provides them a familiar haven. (There is also, no choice - because mainstream colonies don't usually ‘rent out' to Muslims, not even students, journalists or professionals).

The anger and resentment against the political system is palpable. The UPA regime's hesitancy to order a judicial probe into the Batla House encounter remains a sting in their hearts. A faculty member at the Jamia, requesting anonymity, says, "Why is the Congress so defensive about the encounter? It is clear that they do not wish things to come out in the open. Just targeting innocent citizens without evidence is tyranny. There are many loopholes which need to be plugged and answered. If people are raising questions, is it not the responsibility of the government to answer it?"

These views are backed by many. Yet, deep down, they know that the matter has been effectively buried now, especially in the wake of the Mumbai terror strike (see box). The focus has shifted from the "fake encounter and false charges against the youngsters" of Batla House to Mumbai - people believe justice can't be expected in the near future. This is a tragic and reluctant acceptance mixed with deep angst and anger.

Some locals believe that the Congress has "backstabbed" them. According to Shahid Anjum, an IT professional: "Many feel that the BJP is openly against the Muslim community. But after the encounter and the eventual branding of Muslims as extremists, even the Congress is being seen as a foe. Innocents are being targeted, tortured and imprisoned without being granted a fair trial. The foundation of the Indian Constitution is being shaken. This is sickening."