http://www.newkerala.com/news-daily/news/features.php?action=fullnews&id=1964 By Habib Shaikh, Ahmedabad, Dec 5 : Activists, retired bureaucrats and police officials are joining hands to give the largest Muslim settlement in Gujarat here an image makeover by organising get-togethers and festival celebrations. Juhapura in this Gujarat city has for long been subject to prejudice by sections of the Hindu community - a direct result the increasing communal polarisation following last year's riots that killed at least 1,000 people, mostly in this city. Some consider Juhapura to be a breeding ground for anti-socials and the locality has unwittingly earned notoriety. But not any more, NGOs and secular activists have vowed. "Those who paint a jaundiced picture of Juhapura should be made aware of the reality here," said Action Aid chief Harsh Mander. Mander, a former bureaucrat resigned his government service in the wake of the communal violence to be associated with the NGO. "We want to change the public image of Juhapura. We plan to actively seek cooperation from non-Muslim individuals and organisations to change the dubious stereotype," Islami Relief Committee legal cell advisor Shakeel Ahmed told IANS. Towards this aim, the committee organised an 'Eid Milan' get-together earlier this week and invited journalists, activists and academics. The idea is to get people from other parts of the city to visit the locality and rid their biases. Father Moses of St. Xavier's Social Service Society congratulated the organisers for choosing Juhapura for the Eid celebrations in the first step towards revamping its image. Amongst those who attended the meeting were members of various NGOs like Janpath, Sanchetna, Ahmedabad Women's Action Group and Lokhit Seva Trust. Many who attended the meeting came with their families, some of whom were venturing into Juhapura for the first time. Like Harnish Pandya, who led his son down the serpentine by-lanes of the locality. "My son was amazed. He might have heard stories about the so-called anti-national activities going on around here. Making a trip here can change your mind if you have any prejudices," said Pandya. Earlier known as a Muslim "ghetto", Juhapura is now home to many affluent Muslim families who have moved to the area for security and safety in this communally surcharged city. Several retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) officials have moved apart from professors, journalists, lawyers and other professionals. "We are in the process of forming a committee with representation from professionals residing in the locality. The proposed committee will organise events aimed at changing the image of Juhapura," Ahmed said. |