Bisara faces political polarisation

The residents of Bisara village in Dadri are watching helplessly the politics of polarisation. Though Asgari Begum, mother of Mohammad Akhlaq, who was lynched by a mob for reportedly eating of beef, is yet to reconcile with the facts, she is not ready to accuse the villagers.

Tired of hectic interactions with visitors from the media and political parties, octogenarian Asgari thanks Allah for the support she is receiving from people from across the country. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi has also just pledged his support during his visit.

However, she still does not blame fellow villagers for the incident. She recalls how they have helped her family on every occasion, from festivals to marriages.

However, she also cannot forget the horror that her son's attackers were youngsters from the village and showed no mercy.

“They had hockey sticks and lathis, and they ignored all our appeals. My heart breaks when I recall the incident,” she says before retiring to her small house. The interiors of the house are spartan, barring a local-brand washing machine and single-chair sofa.

The fridge on the upper floor lies damaged. Some prosperity might have come after Akhlaq’s son Sartaz joined the Air Force. 

Akhlaq's elder brother Jamil, meanwhile, admits that it is difficult to get rid of the feeling of insecurity after the unimaginable event.

The vacant look in his eyes reflects the hopelessness surrounding the family at a time when it is struggling to overcome poverty.

“How can I stop myself from remembering that in a big village like this no one came to save us?” he says in the presence of village Pradhan Sanjay Rana.

Articulate and young Rana recounts how Hindus gave land for a local mosque and Idgah. He says the mosque's renovation started only three years ago, and the entire villages pitched in. He has promised the family protection. 

Rajendra Singh, whose huge building overlooks Akhlaq's small house, echoes similar sentiments.

Meanwhile, no one seems to have a clue as to how it all happened. Some say some miscreants spread rumours through loudspeaker.

Of course, communalising elements are noticeable in the surrounding areas, like the posters of the Rashtrawadi Pratap Sena.