The Violence that Shattered Lives
A violent clash occurred during a Durga idol immersion procession in Bahraich, leading to the death of one individual and injuries to many on October 13, 2024. The clashes swept over the area when members of Muslim community asked the DJ music to be turned off as the procession passed near the mosque. The request soon led to an argument, resulting in stone pelting between the two groups. The situation escalated when a 22 year old man identified as Ram Gopal Mishra was shot dead with a bullet piercing through his chest after he was seen replacing the green flag with the saffron one. Soon after the death of Mishra the city Bahraich and its neighboring areas came on edge for days, witnessing various incidents of arson, vandalism and destruction, mostly of the muslim community.
The Hardship that Occured:
Following the incident, disturbing visuals made rounds on social media platforms, narrating the chilling ordeals of the eyewitnesses. The violent clash started when, after Mishra’s last rites in Maharajganj, a town near Bahraich, thousands of Hindus barged into the city and went on a rampage, selectively targeting Muslim properties, looting, vandalizing, and setting them ablaze. On October 18, as per reports, a backdated demolition notice was issued to 23 properties, 20 of which belonged to Muslims. Furthermore, by October 25, 2024, the Uttar Pradesh Police had reportedly arrested 87 people in connection with the rioting, and approximately 1,000 people were booked after at least 11 FIRs were registered in the matter. Internet services were also suspended for several days, impacting communication and daily life for residents in the affected areas. Later in the month, five suspected to be involved in Mishra’s death were apprehended after an encounter with the UP Police in which two of them Mohammad Talim and Mohammad Sarfaraz suffered gunshot injuries. Meanwhile, Circle Officer Rupendra Gaur, Tehsildar Ravikant Dwivedi and District Information Officer Ghulam Waris Siddiqui were removed from their positions following the violence. A station house officer and a police outpost in charge were suspended.
The Relief that Followed:
In the midst of the devastation and chaos caused by the violence, Miles2Smile went on the ground to assess the damage, listen to the heartbreaking stories, and help rebuild shattered lives. Upon entering the violence-affected areas, we were met with an eerie silence, charred buildings, and shuttered shops. We saw an ocean of police spread across the area, we witnessed several checkpoints and barricades, and crossed narrow lanes where the violence unfolded. On our two-day relief visit, we met dozens of surviving families and heard their pains, which was palpable enough to puncture our hearts. We immediately provided respite to them through financial aid and promised them to rebuild what has been lost. On returning to Delhi, we launched a comprehensive fundraiser to reconstruct the house and reestablish livelihood for those who lost it. With the assistance of our donors, we were able to:
Construction of Houses
In addition to the destruction of homes, many survivors saw their livelihoods completely shattered. These livelihoods were their sole means of earning a living. With the support of generous donors, Miles2Smile took steps to restore the economic stability of these individuals. This initiative focused on rebuilding businesses and providing e-rickshaws to help sustain their livelihoods.
Establishment of Livelihoods
Upon becoming aware of the violence, we discovered that many survivors ‘ homes had been destroyed and burned. These survivors were struggling to rebuild their houses. Through our fundraising efforts, we were able to reconstruct their homes, providing them with much-needed shelter. The act of giving them a roof over their heads brought us great warmth and fulfillment.
Winning Hearts, Earning Smiles
With these initiatives, Miles2Smile won hearts and earned smiles from the survivors. We, with the small efforts and big help of the donors, brought back the normalcy in the riot-ridden areas. Established nearly five years ago, the Miles2Smile Foundation is dedicated to making a positive impact on marginalized communities in India. From the crisis response during the Delhi riots in 2020 to ongoing efforts in education and advocacy, the Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable society. To know more about our work and learn how we earned these smiles, delve deep into the reports and explore more.