Kairana ‘exodus’: BJP MP Hukum Singh marks U-turn, says issue not about Hindus or Muslims

New Delhi: Days after claiming that the ‘migration’ of Hindus from Kairana had the communal angle, local BJP MP Kairana Hukum Singh today made a U-turn, saying the ‘migration’ of Hindus from this western Uttar Pradesh region was ‘not communal’ in nature but had more to do with the law and order situation.

The change of stand in his claim came after local administration’s verification of families revealed that few of the people mentioned in the list are dead and some left their homes years ago.“It is not about communal incidents... It is not about Hindus or Muslims,” he told reporters in Muzaffarnagar, adding that “it has more to do with the law and order situation.”

“The list (of those who had to flee) will go on further, I believe. It can go up to 400-500. There is not one accused (who forced people to migrate), they are here in dozens,” he further said.

Singh said that families were leaving town because they feared their lives as extortion threats were made to them. He alleged that this was being done under the protection of Samajwadi Party government in UP.

The MP today released another list of 63 Hindu families. He said that they had to flee Kandhla town in Shamli district.

“These Hindu families have left under duress,” he said.

When told that some Muslim families too had left the area, he said, “Others have gone for their purposes.”

Singh had earlier said that from the names of the accused, “one can grasp who these people are,” hinting at the involvement of members of the Muslim community. The MP earlier released a list of 346 families which were “forced” to flee the town, which has 85 per cent Muslim population.

Kairana in Shamli district witnessed communal riots in 2013.

UP government had ordered a probe into the alleged migration. On verification, the local administration found that out of 118 names given by Hukum Singh, 66 of them left their homes five years ago, even before SP govt came into power in the state. Five of the people mentioned in the list were dead, 12 are still present, 46 moved out since 2011 and 55 moved out at least 6-11 years ago.

Among the names that were verified, 55 were labourers, 13 farmers, 34 small shop owners, five lawyers, two school teachers and three clerks, an unusual target for extortion. Many of the families are now living in Panipat, a thriving business hub 10 kilometres away from Kairana.

Shamli District Magistrate Sujeet Kumar today ruled out any communal and law and order issues behind some people leaving the area.

“There is no communal activity. Kairana town has always been peaceful... During Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, the area remained peaceful, and even during the Muzaffarnagar riots of 2013, people here sent a strong message of brotherhood. We have received reports from media that the BJP is sending a fact-finding committee here, but we have not received any information in writing till now. A team can come and do their investigation. We have no problem with that,” Kumar said.

According to reports in media, 115 Muslim families migrated from just one locality of Alkala in the town but Hukum Singh’s list does not mention any name from the community.

When asked about the discrepancies in the list, Singh said, “I have received complaints that some names in the list are of people who moved out of Kairana a while ago. Tomorrow, I will personally conduct verification of all addresses. Party workers will go to each of these addresses. I will provide an additional list.” 

The issue of Kairana echoed in BJP’s National Executive meeting in Allahabad that concluded yesterday. Party president Amit Shah said in Allahabad on Monday, “UP should not take Kairana lightly, it is a shocking event...the Kairana exodus is no ordinary event."

UP CM Akhilesh Yadav has denied the reports of forced migration. "I have a report which says that the BJP is spreading rumours that the Samajwadi Party compelled people to leave Kairana... the BJP should not do politics on petty issues," Akhilesh Yadav said yesterday .

BSP chief Mayawati has alleged that Kairana incident was raked by BJP as part of conspiracy to divert people's attention from other issues and added, "During current SP rule, people have migrated in huge numbers not only from Kairana but other distt as well."