Former East Delhi MP and Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit was among the very first to visit the areas of north-east Delhi struck by communal violence two weeks ago. Excerpts:
You visited the violence-hit locations of north-east Delhi. What did you find there?
I was being informed that this is some anti-CAA [Citizenship (Amendment) Act], pro-CAA fans locally and people attempting to muscle down the other. But on [February] 24, things suddenly began failing. I attempted to contact my individuals and go there sometime in the evening. I discovered that a few of the locations obstructed so I quickly came back. On [February] 25 I arbitrarily went from location to place; Muslim-dominated, Hindu-dominated, combined population areas. There was a sense of panic and worry in both communities. There was some anger in the Hindu neighborhood; they had this sense that the demonstrations [against the CAA] had actually gone on too long. Then came [BJP leader] Kapil Mishra speech. I think he used a platform where there were cops people loafing him to offer an extremely clear message as to who is with us.
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