Gujarat: 'We don't want Modi or BJP', say Muslims in Juhapura

Ahmedabad: As Gujarat went to polls, the Indian Meteorological Department declared that on polling days, Ahmedabad and other parts of the state would be in for a ‘heat wave’, which would raise temperatures in an already scorching city. However, Ahmedabad’s unforgiving heat has nothing to do with the anger residents of a small area named Juhapura feel towards BJP and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. “If he had apologised we could have considered supporting him, but he hasn’t even acknowledged us. He has shown no interest in us. He or Advani,” says Shamin Sayeed, a resident of area who volunteered to help people get to booths on polling day. [caption id=“attachment_1503695” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Pathan Sayeed Khan who lost ten members of his family in the riots. Surabhi Vaya/Firstpost[/caption] In Juhapura, part of Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, the battle is between veteran BJP leader LK Advani and lesser known Congress candidate Kirit Patel. As BJP’s blaring campaign traipsed across the country, this largely Muslim dominated area in Modi’s backyard showed no signs it was polling day. No posters with impassioned slogans hung in the streets. Polling booths were devoid of party workers encouraging people to vote, making last minute pitches. What sets Juhapura apart is the largely Muslim population, especially those who settled in the area after the 2002 Gujarat riots. In Sidikabad colony close to the polling booth, nearly 1,200 riots victims live in 160 rooms in the sweltering heat, all with the same question: “Where is Modi?” “The government has created an atmosphere of segregation. We came and settled here because we don’t feel safe anywhere but here. But in all these years he (Modi) has made no attempt to reach out to us,” says Feroze Mohammed Gulzar, a survivor of the massacre in Gulberg Society, who now lives in Juhapura. Pathan Sayeed Khan, a 74-year-old former resident of Gulberg has a similar tale to tell. Khan, who lost 10 of members of his family during the 2002 riots moved to the area with his two sons nearly a decade ago. “Modi never apologised for what happened 12 years ago, never visited us here or in the refugee camp. If he ever comes to power in the center, the country will turn saffron, that’s what I fear. At least here, among others like us, we are safe,” Khan says. Even residents who have little to do with the riots grudge BJP’s PM bid for ignoring the area. Advani or other senior BJP leaders have done little to put the collective angst to rest. “Voting doesn’t feel important to us, especially this time. No one has paid any attention to us. Advani hasn’t even come and visited us once,” says Pathan Ilyaas Khan, who has been living in Juhapura for nearly 35 years. “Congress lives under the assumption that our votes aren’t going anywhere. AAP is a non-entity. I have no hope from Congress or BJP, but its not like we have a choice,” he adds. Modi’s claims of knowing ground realities hold little water here. While residents said that they would vote Congress due to the lack of options, neither party has made an impression or cared at all this poll season. “We don’t want Modi or BJP. He never does anything for us. Never came and met us, then how will he win or expect our votes? We will vote Congress,” says Afsana, a 47-year-old resident of the area. [caption id=“attachment_1503697” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  A deserted booth near Juhapura. Surabhi Vaya/Firstpost.[/caption] The inability of the government to ensure security after 2002 has only been compounded by how ignored the residents felt during a poll season overwhelmed by campaigning by both Congress and the BJP. “We lived in Jamalpur and later moved to Juhapura. When we moved the only thought we had was god forbid there are riots again? We feel comfortable and safe in an area like this. Nobody can do anything here. We feel secure here, especially since the state has already failed us once,” says Mohammed Afzal, a software engineer who lives in the area. Afzal’s wife Nazma who is born and raised in Ahmedabad feels that such concerns are justified considering Modi’s run for the PM seat. “We feel prejudiced when it comes to Modi handling us. We hope that will not be the case if he is elected at the centre. For that reason BJP will not get our vote.”