An uneasy calm prevails in Basai village of Gurgaon after several Muslim families were attacked and forced to leave the village. Members of both communities continuing to be cautious.
“I do not have any acquaintances in Basai. I learnt only through hearsay, but do not know the details,” said a Muslim dhaba owner, less than a kilometre from the village. Vicky, a resident of Basai, said he was away when the incident occurred.
A hawker, Iqbal, whose brother was among those beaten up, said, “My younger brother happened to be in Basai when the attack took place. He was slapped and told to go to Pakistan. But then a few Hindu residents came to his rescue, gave him shelter and later escorted him safely to Sector 9.”
A few Hindu landlords of the village have now come out in support of their Muslim tenants fearing loss of business.
“There have been constant attempts by vested interests from both communities to disturb communal harmony in the region,” said a minority community member, not willing to be named.
