Clashes between supporters and opponents of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 has rapidly escalated into a full-blown communal riot between Hindus and Muslims in working-class neighbourhoods (Maujpur and surrounding areas) on the fringes of the Delhi. This violence comes from the demonization of peaceful protests, and a constant questioning of Muslims as equal citizens. As per official estimates, 46 people had been killed and more than 200 people injured. Mukeem, a middle-aged owner of a furniture store in northeast Delhi says, “My home and warehouse were first looted and then set on fire.” As reported by The Economic Times, he adds that the attack was well-planned, with many attackers carrying cutting tools and keys to break open doors and shutters. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said that the Delhi government has set up nine shelters for the riot-affected people and will start distributing Rs 25,000 in cash as immediate relief from Saturday to those whose houses have been burnt in the violence.
However, as citizens, it is our responsibility as well to come in support of the riot victims as much as we can. Here’s a list of the many ways you can do your bit to help them.
I. Make payments
If you want to help the Delhi riot victims by providing food, you can make payments to Hamdard Medical Helpdesk through the following numbers:
Asad: 8114413154 (Paytm, G-pay, Phonepe)
Asjad: 8800515213 (Paytm, G-pay, Phonepe)
II.Organizations helping the Delhi riot victims
UVA is supplying daily ration to people affected by the Delhi riots.
Ration include food items, medicines and other everyday utility items such as sanitary napkins, dettol, matchsticks, soaps, toothpaste etc.
III. Deliver Relief Funds
You can deliver relief funds to Delhi riot victims through Amazon or Big Basket to the following addresses in Delhi -
a. M-76 Basement, GK 2, M Block Market, New Delhi: 110048.
b. Maimoona Mollah/AR Sindhu, BTR Bhawan, 13A Rouse Avenue, New Delhi: 110002
Items you need to donate include the following - blankets, sheets, towels, underwear (male/female, all sizes), soap, chappals, cerelac for babies, diapers, tea, sugar, salt, cooking oil, wheat, dal, rice, milk powder, cooking spices.
You can contact 701197290 for more information on how to deliver these stuff.
IV. Sign and Start Petitions
Petitions are a great way to make yourself heard and take action. Consider using platforms like change.org to sign and start petitions on issues of importance.
Sign the Citizens’ Petition for Protection of Muslims against targeted violence in North East Delhi, and restoration of peace and security across Delhi.
Such petitions have been signed for many other issues in India and all over the world.
V. Donate Priority Medicines
Adult Medicines like Norflox TZ, Azee tablet, Oflox, Cifidoc, Pantop 40, Lactulose syrup, Mormox 625, Candy force Cap., LCZ tablet, cough syrup, Ciplox 500 mg, Rantac 150 tablet,calcium tablet, Monto LC tablet, B.C. capsule. Scabies lotion, Candiforce capsule etc.
Medicines for children include Zync syrup, BC syrup, Citrazine syrup, Cifodoxine syrup, Multivitamin syrup, PCM syrup, and Azee syrup.
VI. Volunteer On Ground
Many organizations and groups have teams on ground to provide relief to those affected. You can reach out to them using social media or their websites and join them. Such efforts are needed in a humanitarian crisis such as this. On Monday, activists, NGOs, volunteers of political parties were seen helping people at hospitals, police stations and government offices. A group of youth volunteers from Shiv Vihar are working overtime to provide food and water to police personnel and to those in need.
VII. Open Your Homes
The Hindu reports “As the fires ebbed, and roads to one of the areas worst affected by the riots, shiv Vihar Phase 7, opened up, 25-year-old Arshi picked her way out of the rubble of what was once her home in an area that is now a ghost town.” Arshi is not alone in this. Many such people have lost their homes, their families, as mobs wreaked havoc in their neighbourhoods, demolishing their houses and setting alight gas cylinders. Many people who have encountered such plights are in need of shelter right now. Open your homes and welcome them.
VIII. Write Articles
If you are someone in media or even have basic writing skills, please consider writing for news outlets or publish blogs that document these times. These might help people get access to authentic information. This kind of action is significant because false information can lead to the spread of unnecessary panic and anxiety. Besides, correct information helps citizens form their own opinions regarding issues of national importance.
IX. File FIRS
Use your legal rights to file FIRS against those who incite violence or spread hate. Don’t let fascists get away easily. Take action. Till now, the Delhi Police has registered 254 FIRs and arrested or detained 903 persons in connection with the northeast Delhi violence.
X. Help Mobilize
Form a network of doctors, media persons and lawyers and keep an eye out for SOS messages that might require any of their services. Contact them and mobilize these networks in case of emergencies.
XI. Offer Legal Services
Legal services are of utmost priority during times of crisis such as these. If you are a lawyer, please get in touch with people on ground and offer your services for free. As reported by Times of India, independent lawyers were seen providing monetary as well as legal help at GTB hospital.
XII. Offer Spaces for Meetings
Protests require teams to meet and usually such sensitive meetings cannot happen on-site or at public spaces. Offer your space for organizers to conduct their meetings. However, efforts should be taken with regard to the peaceful conducting of these meetings.
XIII. Fact Check Information
Fake news has become one of the most dangerous phenomena of the 21st century, with the invention of the World Wide Web. It has instigated riots, communal hatred, anxiety and envy in the world. Especially in times of turmoil, it is very easy for fake news to travel in both mainstream and social media. If it goes unchecked, it might lead citizens to make uninformed choices, leading to more havoc. You can help by pointing out false information or urging people to keep tabs on fact-checking sites like Alt News.
Residents of Bombay can drop things off at Leaping Windows Cafe in Versova, till 4th of March. All items collected by them would be sent to AIDWA, Delhi, who has been working on this front and will take charge of distributing these items appropriately.
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