IndiaNewsOpinionPolitics

‘Flood Jihad’: 5 Muslims blamed and arrested in Assam


You are Here: Tweet, Like, Share, Comment, Subscribe…be the Voice of Free Press!

By Our Special Correspondent Syed Ali Mujtaba, Copy Edited By Adam Rizvi, Patna, TIO: Guwahati– So far five Muslims have been arrested for waging ‘Flood Jihad’ that caused heavy floods in the Hindu majority areas of Silchar. The arrests were made around July 3 and after keeping the Muslim men behind bars for 15 days but were let out for lack of any evidence.

These arrests were made of the Muslims living in the Muslim-dominated Bethukandi, an area in Silchar but police found no evidence against them to link with any ‘Flood Jihad’ theory.

Also Read, Tweet & Share: Muslim population growth rate Checked by Assam CM  

Assam witnessed two waves of flood first in May and then in June this year as rains came early and were heavier than usual. But it brought in its wake wanton death and destruction which is normal and happens each year.

However, this year there was a new twist in the Assam floods. This is because social media this year went hammer and tongs with the theory ‘Flood Jihad’ and blamed Muslims for the floods.

Also Read, Tweet & Share: Bajrang Dal beat up Muslim Sadhus found begging with Bull

The social media posts coined the term ‘Flood Jihad’ and circulated in droves. The social media posts were shared thousands of times and then repeated by some local media outlets. The message was floods were the handiwork of a group of Muslims who had deliberately inundated the Hindu-majority city of Silchar.

Also Read, Tweet & Share: Tamil Nadu: Hindus-Muslims set an example of how to live in peace and harmony

According to Google Trends, searches for “flood jihad” hit a five-year peak in July, fed by the social media frenzy around this claim that Muslims were responsible for damaging embankments meant to protect against flooding.

The truth about this year’s flood in Assam is poor maintenance of embankments that is central to flood management.  The state has more than 4,000km (2,500 miles) of embankments; many of them have become old and prone to damage. There a lot of breaches do take place because of the lack of repair and maintenance of the embankments. Sometimes there are instances where people deliberately breached the embankment so that the water would move out, and would not flood their area.

Also Read, Tweet & Share: New Class of Muslim Leadership is being created by Indian Prime Minister Modi

Silchar Superintendent of police, Ramandeep Kaur, rubbished the claim of ‘Flood Jihad.’ She told the media that some arrests were made due to social media posts but all such people were released as nothing wrong was found against them.

Locals feel that the problem of floods in Assam requires a far more mature response from the double-engine government right now in the state and the center.

Also Read, Tweet & Share: “Jai Shri Ram” has become a murderous chant to kill Muslims in India

However, neither the BJP-ruled state government nor the central government is bothered for finding any long-lasting solution for controlling the floods in Assam.

Such theories like “flood jihad” is floated only to divert the people’s attention from the long-standing problem and this is an easy route taken to exit from the problem that’s festering for years.

Also, Read more from this Author: Chennai protest: Muslims in the communal violence-hit Jahangirpuri, Delhi

Curated and Compiled by Humra Kidwai

Articles written by contributors have different viewpoints. The views expressed in the articles are the author’s own and not necessarily supported by TIO, The India Observer its affiliates, staff, or the management. Our Articles can be reproduced, with the following conditions, (1) No alteration to the content, (2) Visible, full credit is given to the Author & Editor. (3) Citing, The India Observer, TIO. In the case of online or electronic media, a link to the original article must be given. Rules are strictly enforced. Any questions, email the Editor at: Mediaiss@gmail.com

All Copyrights reserved. Please be guided.


Syed Ali Mujtaba

Syed Ali Mujtaba

Syed Ali Mujtaba is a Sr.Journalist, Author based in Chennai, India. Writes frequently for the USA based News Portal, TheIndiaObserver. He is author of the book Soundings on South Asia, New Dawn Press (2005). He can be reached at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com or TIO, at Mediaiss@Gmail.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *