HINDU MUSLIM TENSIONS OF 1973 IN VIJANAPURA

They were not tensions but for all practical purposes riots. I am not very very sure if the year was 1973 but could be an year or two more on the leading side.

All the temples in our vicinity held chariot processions regularly. This was a treat to watch but has diminished in quantity now. A typical chariot procession called theru in the local language had a well decked tractor trolley carrying a diety some times with wonderful decorations illuminated by bulbs of various colours powered by a generator that went along with the entourage. What a treat to watch. Some times many such processions would be slated for a given night with each one competing with the other in decor and design. Streets would be full with spectators even at 2:00 am an unearythly hour by people who woke from their sleep to catch as glimpse of this parade. Such was the dynamism and enthusiasm hidden in the generation of people at our place. Occassionally electric lines would obstruct the progress of a chariot and the wire was carefully pushed upwards with a specially designed staff created for the situation.

One such procession I was told as a child came to be attacked by some rival group triggerring tensions gradually erupting into sporadic violence of a serious nature the aftermath of which lasted for nearly three months. Work within the Indian Telephone Industries were disrupted and every one began to feel insecure as to what the night could bring forth. Some of the smaller shops near my house were burnt down and I was a witness of one. Curfew was passed by the police and the streets wore a deserted look with shops closed and a general feel of disarray.

I remember my father's friend Nizamuddin whom we helped in right earnest. This person used to work with my father and expressed the idea of leaving Bangalore for atleast a month until order was restored but was in a quandry. He had some valuables and lots of utensils which he wanted to deposit with some one who could keep them safe until his return. We agreed to be of help and in the thick of the night had them all transported to our house and a barely eight year old boy like me was caught busy in his own way sensing the gravity of the situation to help transfer some utensils into our house. The entire activity was completed without incident and Mr. Nizamuddin took possession of the articles after a month or so.

The crpf was called in and the trouble makers from all sides rounded up and the crpf conducted a flag march sending the right signals. Thus ended a riot which lasted for a few months and never happened again in our place to my memory and would never ever in the future. People of Vijanapura have evolved well in the right directions and continue to do so.