[We are reproducing below a letter to the NHRC Chairperson by Teesta Setalvad, Secretary, Citizens for Justice and Peace, Mumbai]
October 6, 2014
To the Chairperson Mr Balakrishnan, National Human Rights Commission.
Dear Sir,
There are extremely disturbing reports about the climate of abject fear that the poor and marginalised communitoies of JJ Colony, Bawana are living in, following recent incidents. Prominent residents of Delhi have carried out an independent fact finding into allegations of cow slaughter and the systematic intimidation of local Muslims. The team consisting of Dr. Mrigank (Delhi Committee, Indian Federation of Trade Unions, IFTU), Poonam Kaushik (Gen. Secy. Pragatisheel Mahila Sangathan, PMS), Rajeev (Convener, Progressive Democratic Students’ Union, PDSU) visited JJ Colony Bawana.
We urge Sir that the National Human Rights Commission carries out a suo moto inquiry into the incident and especially inquires into the following;-
From the above Report (see below) the observations made are :
1. That the allegations that there is plan of cow slaughter is bogus. There is no possibility of hiding the cows. And no cows were found.
2. That there is intimidation of Muslims and they are living amidst fear. The police protection is not enough.
3. That the organizations like Hindu Krantikari Sena are not spontaneous organizations. It is clears from the fact that among the main organizer was the nephew of BJP MLA. Also total inactivity of BJP MP is a clear indication.
4. That there is total communal harmony in JJ Colony and even today they are together.
It is demanded that:
1. There should be enough police protection to prevent any untoward incident. There are about 15 places of sacrifice. Police should be deployed there also to prevent any mis-happenings.
2. The people inciting, and spreading rumours should be arrested, booked.
3. Cases should be registered on the people who were involved in beating, stone pelting and guilty policemen should also be booked.
Sir we urge that you look into these observations of the Independent report that is enclosed below.
Yours Sincerely
Teesta Setalvad
Secretary
Citizens for Justice and Peace, Mumbai
KAFILA - COLLECTIVE EXPLORATIONS SINCE 2006 
Teesta setalvad has highlighted the fear of marginalised minorities. But now intellectual freedom is also attacked and authors have to live in fear. Today’s Hindu (October 6, 2014) has reported the stance of Subramanian Swamy and others of his ilk.
““Marxist, Muslim and Western historians” were in the line of fire on Sunday at a seminar organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-backed Akhil Bharatiya Itihaas Sankalan Yojana (ABISY) to offer tribute to ‘A Forgotten Hindu Emperor, Maharaja Hemchandra Vikramaditya’ with Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy calling for burning of their books.
The complaint of ABISY — the history wing of the RSS — and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad against these historians was that they had ignored many Hindu historical figures by design. ABISY national president Satish Chandra Mittal said Hemchandra Vikramaditya — who had established ‘Hindu raj’ in North India before the second battle of Panipat, 1556 — was a nationalist. Books written by “Nehruvian historians” such as Bipin Chandra and Romila Thapar should be set afire, Dr. Swamy said.
He said Muslims should give up claim to the disputed land/structures at Ayodhya, Varanasi and Mathura so that temples could be constructed there. “This will help create a new milieu in the country.” Referring to the disputes over the Ramjanmabhoomi Temple-Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvyapi Mosque in Varanasi and the Keshav Dev Temple-Shahi Idgah in Mathura, he said temples should be built there. “Even if the government does not do anything, I will; I will go to court.”
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