View source for 2010 Deganga riots

{{disputed|date=February 2015}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2017}} 
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
The '''2010 Deganga riots''' occurred at [[Deganga, North 24 Parganas]] in [[West Bengal]], [[India]] on 6 September 2010 when Muslim mobs resorted to [[arson]] and violence against the local and Hindu community.<ref>[http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/riotscarred-deganga-says-trinamool-mp--main-villain-/681249/ Riot-scarred Deganga says Trinamool MP ‘main villain’] Indian Express - 14 September 2010</ref> The violence began late in the evening of that Monday and continued throughout the night and for several subsequent days. The [[West Bengal Police|district police]], [[Rapid Action Force]], [[paramilitary]] were all unable to quell the problems and the [[Indian Army]] was eventually deployed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Army out after Deganga rioting|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Army-out-after-Deganga-rioting/articleshow/6516493.cms|website=The Times of India|accessdate=17 April 2016}}</ref> The army staged a series of [[flag march]]es on the Taki Road but the violence continued in the interior villages lying off that road until Thursday, despite the army presence and the promulgation of prohibitory orders under [[Unlawful assembly|section 144]] of the [[Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (India)|Criminal Procedure Code]].<ref>{{cite web|title=2010 Report on Religious Freedom|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168245.htm|website=US State Department|accessdate=17 April 2016}}</ref> Military Commanders on approval by the state Government imposed AFSPA.
{{Violence against Hindus in independent India}}

== Background ==
[[Deganga]] is a [[Community Development Block in India|Community Development Block]] (CDB) in [[North 24 Parganas district]], India. According to ''[[The Pioneer (Indian newspaper)|The Pioneer]]'' newspaper at the time of the riots, over 69 per cent of the CDB population were Muslim. It forms a part of the [[Basirhat (Lok Sabha constituency)|Basirhat]] [[parliamentary constituency]] that for over 30 years up until the [[2009 Indian general election|Indian general elections of 2009]] had been held by the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)]] (CPI(M)). In those elections, the seat was won by [[Haji Nurul Islam]] of the [[Trinamul Congress]].<ref name=pioneer20100908/><ref name=toi20100911>{{cite news |title=BJP demands TMC MP's arrest for fomenting communal violence |date=11 September 2010 |agency=TNN |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-11/india/28213366_1_bjp-demands-muslim-votes-communal-politics |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103094834/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-11/india/28213366_1_bjp-demands-muslim-votes-communal-politics |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 January 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |accessdate=2012-03-20}}</ref>

The CDB had remained calm during what journalist Partha Dasgupta described as "the two most trying times in recent history", being the [[Babri Masjid]] incident of 1992 and the [[2002 Gujarat violence|Gujarat riots]] of 2002<ref name=tehelka20101002>{{cite journal |publisher=Tehelka |first=Partha |last=Dasgupta |title=Communal tension divides Deganga. Is the CPM playing a dirty game for electoral gain? |journal=Tehelka Magazine |volume=7 |issue=39 |date=2 October 2010 |url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main47.asp?filename=Ne021010Communal_tension.asp |accessdate=2012-03-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100925200055/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main47.asp?filename=Ne021010Communal_tension.asp |archive-date=25 September 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> in this situation CPI(M) did the best work to control the violence.

== Riots ==
[[Image:Chattalpalli Durga mandap at Deganga.jpg|thumb|right|The permanent [[Durga Puja|Durga]] [[mandapa|mandap]] at Chattalpalli and the makeshift [[pandal]] in front.]]
The flashpoint for the riots related to a dispute on land at [[Chattal Pally]] village that was formerly owned by [[Rani Rashmoni]].{{citation needed|date=October 2015}} On this was a Muslim cemetery and also a place of Hindu worship that had been used for annual [[Durga Puja]] celebrations for many years.{{#tag:ref|''[[The Pioneer (Indian newspaper)|The Pioneer]]'' on one occasion stated that the [[Durga Puja]] had been celebrated for 25 years,<ref name=pioneer20100908/> and in another report put the figure at 40 years.<ref name=pioneer20100910/>|group=note}} The two areas, near to which was situated a police station, were separated by a narrow pathway and news reports variously claimed that members of the Muslim community had begun to excavate that pathway on the morning of 6 September 2010,<ref name=pioneer20100910 /> or had been constructing a wall there.<ref name=express20100914>{{cite news |first=Sabyasachi |last=Bandyopadhyay |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Riot-scarred-Deganga-says-Trinamool-MP--main-villain-/681249 |title=Riot-scarred Deganga says Trinamool MP 'main villain' |work=The Indian Express|date=14 September 2010 |accessdate=2010-09-14 |location=Kolkata}}</ref> There were claims that the action was an attempt to stop the Durga Puja from taking place<ref name=pioneer20100908 /><ref name=express20100914 /> and that the Hindu community had been constructing a "makeshift structure" (a [[pandal]] adjacent to their temple) by the boundary of the cemetery.<ref name=hindu20100908 /> Underlying the immediate cause was resentment relating to use of a loudspeaker by a local mosque: the [[Kolkata High Court]] was at that time in the process of adjudicating on the issue and had prevented its use while doing so, and there was a belief that Haji Nurul Islam had gained votes in the 2009 elections by promising to support those who favoured its use.<ref name=pioneer20100910 />

Members of the Hindu community objected to the works being carried out on 6 September. Some news reports indicated that the objectors were attacked for doing so,<ref name=pioneer20100910>{{cite news |first=Saugar |last=Sengupta |url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/282172/Bengal-riot-victims-live-in-fear-anxiety.html |title=Bengal riot victims live in fear, anxiety |publisher=The Pioneer |date=10 September 2010 |accessdate=2010-09-12 |location=New Delhi| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100912231842/http://www.dailypioneer.com/282172/Bengal-riot-victims-live-in-fear-anxiety.html| archivedate=2010-09-12}}</ref> while others stated that the attacks began when the police intervened.<ref name=pioneer20100908>{{cite news |agency=PNS |url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/281645/24-hurt-in-Bengal-clashes-RAF-called-out.html |title=24 hurt in Bengal clashes, RAF called out |publisher=The Pioneer |date=8 September 2010 |accessdate=2010-09-11 |location=New Delhi| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100911204355/http://www.dailypioneer.com/281645/24-hurt-in-Bengal-clashes-RAF-called-out.html| archivedate=2010-09-11}}</ref> The police tactics involved use of a [[lathicharge]] and resulted in the arrest of three<ref name=pioneer20100909>{{cite news |first=Saugar |last=Sengupta |url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/281865/People-flee-area-after-communal-clashes-in-Bengal.html |title=People flee area after communal clashes in Bengal |publisher=The Pioneer |date=9 September 2010 |accessdate=2010-09-11 |location=New Delhi| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100911193725/http://www.dailypioneer.com/281865/People-flee-area-after-communal-clashes-in-Bengal.html| archivedate=2010-09-11}}</ref> or four Muslims.<ref name=express20100914 /> The Muslim community retaliated first by establishing a road-block and then, in the evening, by marching as a mob to protest at the police station and to possibly to free those who were in custody. Shops and other property belonging to Hindus were looted, burned, torched and destroyed, as were various vehicles on the road, including some belonging to the police and also buses. Claims were made that this mob of around 500 people was led by Haji Nurul Islam, although other "local thugs" and anti socials were also named among the leaders.<ref name=pioneer20100908 /><ref name=express20100914 /> The troubles spread to the nearby areas of [[Kadambagachi]] and [[Beliaghata]], and two Hindu temples were also desecrated.<ref name=pioneer20100908 />

The disruption continued overnight and into Tuesday morning. The police, who were outnumbered by the mob, had been augmented by the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and then by paramilitary reinforcements from Kolkata as the number of reported injured people rose to at least 24. A curfew was also put in place, using powers available under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code.<ref name=pioneer20100908 /><ref name=hindu20100908 /> With the RAF, paramilitary also finding themselves to be outnumbered and unable fully to control matters,<ref name=pioneer20100909 /> the central government sent in the Army.<ref name=express20100913>{{cite news |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kolkata-confidential/680911/0 |title=The Trinamool problem |work=The Indian Express|date=13 September 2010 |accessdate=2010-09-14 |location=Kolkata}}</ref> The force, which was variously reported to comprise 200<ref name=hindu20100908>{{cite news |first=Raktima |last=Bose |url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/08/stories/2010090859680100.htm |title=Youth killed in group clash |date=8 September 2010 |accessdate=2010-09-11 |url-status=dead | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100910005112/http://hindu.com/2010/09/08/stories/2010090859680100.htm|work=[[The Hindu]] | archivedate=2010-09-10}}</ref> and 400 personnel, conducted route marches in the area.<ref name=toi20100908>{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-08/india/28230267_1_communal-clash-indo-bangla-deganga |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103093628/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-08/india/28230267_1_communal-clash-indo-bangla-deganga |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 November 2012 |title=Communal clash near Bangla border, Army deployed  |date=8 September 2010 |accessdate=2010-09-11 |work=[[The Times of India]] |location=Kolkata}}</ref>

The violence was worsened by the death of a youth who had been shot by one of the rioters.<ref name=toi20100908 /> Although the Trinamool Party had refused to take part in meetings intended to resolve the riots,<ref name=express20100914 /> Haji Nurul Islam refuted claims that members of his party were protecting the rioters and explained that they were instead trying to pacify those involved.<ref name=pioneer20100909 /> The violence continued on Wednesday morning, 8 September, with one incident involving a mob from [[Ramnathpur]] and [[Khejurdanga]] attacking houses in the [[Salimpukur]] and Hospital area, off the Taki Road that runs through the district. They ransacked 23 houses, causing their victims to take shelter in nearby [[Kartikpur]]. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act was imposed. Small Arms and [[tear gas]] was used. Nonetheless, state officials claimed that the situation was gradually coming under control and they announced a compensation scheme for those who had lost property.<ref name=toi20100909>{{cite news |agency=TNN |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-09/kolkata/28235373_1_deganga-mob-attackers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103093541/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-09/kolkata/28235373_1_deganga-mob-attackers |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 November 2012 |title=Peace eludes troubled Deganga  |date=9 September 2010 |accessdate=2010-09-11 |work=[[The Times of India]] |location=Kolkata}}</ref>

A later news report, published on Friday 10 September, noted that at least 250 shops had been looted during the several days of rioting, while 50 houses had been burned and 5 temples desecrated.<ref name=pioneer20100910 /> The mob had also hoisted a loudspeaker at the mosque near Deganga market, violating the High Court order.<ref name=pioneer20100910 />

Sporadic incidents continued as late as Thursday but had calmed by Friday. The army and various law enforcement bodies remained in place while the Muslim festival of [[Eid al-Fitr|Eid]] was celebrated on Saturday 11 September, by which time the Trinamool Congress and the CPI(M) had announced their plans for a peace meeting on 13 September that would involve various religious leaders. The two parties claimed that the troublemakers had come into the area from other villages.<ref>{{cite news |location=Kolkata |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-12/kolkata/28223217_1_communal-clashes-deganga-local-trinamool-congress-leader |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930161854/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-09-12/kolkata/28223217_1_communal-clashes-deganga-local-trinamool-congress-leader |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 September 2013 |title=Eid peaceful in riot-hit Deganga |first=Sanjib |last=Chakraborty |date=12 September 2010 |work=[[The Times of India]] |accessdate=2012-03-20}}</ref> 
AFSPA was not renewed and lapsed along with Section 144 while
The army returned to their barracks on Saturday.{{Citation needed|date=March 2012}}

== Aftermath ==
On 9 September, a delegation of [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) leaders visited the areas and on the following day the BJP demanded the arrest of Haji Nurul Islam for instigating the mob into a communal frenzy. A [[First Information Report]] had been filed against him.<ref name=toi20100911 /><ref name="pioneer3">{{cite news |url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/282380/BJP-demands-arrest-of-Haji-Nurul.html |title=BJP demands arrest of Haji Nurul |publisher=The Pioneer |date=10 September 2010 |accessdate=2010-09-11 |location=New Delhi| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100913214649/http://www.dailypioneer.com/282380/BJP-demands-arrest-of-Haji-Nurul.html| archivedate= 13 September 2010}}</ref> Subsequently, a [[Hindu]] advocacy group [[Hindu Samhati]] (HS), led by a former member of the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]], [[Tapan Ghosh]], pressed claims that there had been attacks on Hindu women, torture and other atrocities. The [[Vishva Hindu Parishad]] (VHP), an international organisation of Hindus, also took up the issue with local authorities, based on [[calligraphy]] and other evidence, that the riots were masterminded by the CPI(M) with the intent of garnering votes in an area where the Muslim community had in recent years grown to a majority status and were moving towards right-wing hardliner Islamic parties and away from the left parties.<ref name=tehelka20101002 />

As with other politicians, Haji Nurul Islam could offer no explanation for the death of the Hindu youth, who had ventured into the area from his home village of [[Falti]] and whose family were being generally shunned in the aftermath of the events. He challenged the claims laid against him, saying {{quote|The episode is designed to malign my secular credentials. I have information that CPM goons Yakub and Netai led the loot and arson&nbsp;... I am not a newcomer. I rose through the panchayat ranks. I have been involved in most of the pujas here over the years. Many Hindu victims celebrated Eid at my house. Thank God no one lost their lives. Property can be compensated, but not life.<ref name=tehelka20101002 />}}

In October 2010, the [[National Human Rights Commission of India]], which is an autonomous statutory body, requested the [[Government of West Bengal]] to supply information regarding the riots, allegedly in response to a complaint filed by the [[All India Legal Aid Forum]], who were concerned about the police response to the incident.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/nhrc-asks-govt-to-file-report-on-deganga-vio/693294/ |title=NHRC asks govt to file report on Deganga violence |date=6 October 2010 |work=The Indian Express|accessdate=2012-03-20}}</ref>

== References ==
;Notes
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;Citations
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{{Riots in India}}
{{IslamismSA}}

{{coord missing|West Bengal}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Deganga Riots}}

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[[Category:Ethnic riots]]
[[Category:Riots and civil disorder in India]]
[[Category:Religious riots]]
[[Category:Religiously motivated violence in India]]
[[Category:2010 crimes in India]]
[[Category:2010s in West Bengal]]
[[Category:North 24 Parganas district]]
[[Category:Politico-Religious violence in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Attacks on religious buildings and structures in India]]
[[Category:Persecution of Bengali Hindus]]
[[Category:Crime in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Arson in India]]
[[Category:September 2010 events in India]]