Delhi violence: Hindu family which saved Sikhs in 1984 riots, now saves a Muslim family
More than three generations of Sunita Premi’s family have lived in Gokalpur village in northeast Delhi. It was in the 1984 riots when they saved over 30 Sikhs from being massacred. This time it was a Muslim family, the Khans and their 12 members whom Sunita sheltered from rioters in a Hindu-dominated neighbourhood without caring for her own safety.
Gulnaaz, the lady of the house, heard from her children who returned from work that the tyre market in the area was completely gutted in fires started by rioters on February 24. For three generations, Gokalpur village hadn’t seen this kind of violence. When the tyre market near the petrol pump was burnt to ashes, Gulnaaz and her family were panic-stricken.
Sunita Premi spoke exclusively to India Today about how she helped her neighbours – the only Muslims living in a Hindu-concentrated area. “I wouldn’t call it saving them. I have done what I did because they are my family. We have lived together for three generations. My husband and hers, my father-in-law and hers have lived here forever. Their kids call me tai and my kids call her chachi. And I love them. It doesn’t matter that I am a Hindu and they are Muslims,” she said. … Another Hindu neighbour echoed the sentiment saying, “We won’t let them go anywhere. They are our family.”
SEE ALSO
Delhi violence : Swami Shivanand Saraswati presents prayer mats to burnt Farooqyia mosque (Mar 7, 2020, Muslim Mirror)
Delhi Hero: Meet The Hindu Man Who Removed The Saffron Flag From A Burnt Mosque (Mar 5, 2020, HuffPost)
Pakistani Hindu community cancels Holi celebrations to protest Delhi riots (Mar 9, 2020, Global Village Space)
