Dalit family embraces Islam, media loses objectivity
Submitted by admin4 on 16 October 2011 - 2:32pm
By Rehan Ansari, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: Mainstream media once again lost objectivity in reporting
Islam and Muslims. A Dalit family of five living in a Mumbai suburb
converted to Islam after studying its teachings. The neighbors of
their community retaliated violently and attacked the family leading
to a communal clash as the family called Muslim neighbors for help.
The media covered the incident as a communal clash relying wholly on
police version. None bothered to reach the family.
This is the story of a Dalit family, living in Valmiki Nagar in
Bandra, a western suburb of Mumbai.
Mumbai Dalit family showing their wounds they received in attack by
Dalit neighbors after they announced their conversion to Islam
"We converted to Islam because of its teachings and we do not have any
affair with Muslim boys nor were we forced to convert" said Harsha
Anil Dagao, 17, Jagruti, 15 and Gauri, 13. These three minor girls
reverted to Islam along with their family and renamed as Zohra, Sadiya
and Iqra. They added, "We studied Quran and Fazaile Aamal in Hindi and
believed that Islam is the true religion."
"We have been brutally assaulted by the people of our community even
Police arrested us for rioting but we will not leave Islam" exclaimed
Zohra and her two sisters who were later released on bail by the
court.
Dayawati Dagao, mother of these juvenile girls is also reverted to
Islam and named Aisha. She was arrested too and granted bail later by
the court.
Anil Dagao, the father of these girls, who was also studying Islamic
literature converted to Islam after the incidence.
The clash began when the Dalit family who had converted to Islam were
being targeted and beaten up brutally by their community people.
Situation turned violent when a few Muslims living in the area tried
to interfere in the matter when approached by the victim Dalit family.
But covering the incident, the media forgot the basics of journalism –
to take the view of all parties. They relied on police version of the
incident and published their stories. Here are a few.
Times of India screamed, "Affair sparks clash, 5 cops among 14 hurt."
Reporter went on with his story, "The girl, who lives in a BKC slum
along with her two sisters and mother, had a relationship with a boy
living in the vicinity and planned to marry. However, members of her
community had reservations and this led to tension between the two
groups."
Free Press Journal reported, "Cops state that the unrest was triggered
after a blossoming love affair between a Dalit girl and a Muslim youth
came to the fore."
Mumbai Mirror reported, "Police say the cause of the clash was that
two people, from different communities, were having an affair. When
the girl's parents found out, they assaulted the boy. Later, the boy
brought a few friends along and retaliated, which led to an escalation
of tension and violence."
Indian Express reported, "The clashes occurred when members of one
community objected to a girl's alleged relationship with the boy of
the other community."
No reporter even bothered to talk to the family and report their quotes.
Thirty people including 5 policemen were injured in the clash erupted
in the night of October 7, 2011.
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