"A bit boring, isn't it?"

Ten years ago now the Indian province of Gujarat exploded. Violence broke out between the Hindu and Muslim communities and a series of refugee camps sprang up in the aftermath. Additionally the wives of Muslim Womyn throughout the region were changed forever.

Womyn, Hindu and Muslim alike, through the region began to provide to aid to the camps. At first this cause controversy through out their communities, but progressively many have gained a voice in their communities. Ten years later this initial response has turned into a movement that has caused a lot of social change within their communities. Many Womyn have begun to take a more liberal stance on their Islamic faith, one even quit wearing her burqa, in order to take on a greater degree of participation within their communities. 

However, despite their best efforts these are still communities trapped in the ever growing poverty that has characterized Gujarat and much of India. And, to make matters worse, the communities that were hit the hardest by the 2002 violence have become completely divided, meaning that the Islamic and Hindu communities have little or no contact with one another. In the words of one of the womyn interviewed, "Earlier many of us would live in joint neighbourhoods. We had so much joy living with Hindu neighbours, participating in each other's festivals. Now we have only Muslims for company. Which is a bit boring, isn't it?" 

Which begs the question what particular division between Muslims and Hindus has caused the continued violence within India? While I am aware of the long history of contention between the two, I'm very interested in learning if there is more to it than a dispute between the leaders of the country, because even if two leaders, no matter how respected, have a disagreement based on religion that none of their respective followers can see, riots like this wouldn't have happened.

Till next time, 

Jacob 

Article 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-17508814