World | India
Muslims fear backlash after serial explosions
It appears like any other day in Bhendi Bazaar, one of Mumbai's predominately Muslim quarters. But three days after a series of bomb attacks in India's financial capital that left more than 150 dead and over 700 wounded, all is not quite as normal as it seems.
- Reuters
- Published: 00:00 July 14, 2006
Mumbai: It appears like any other day in Bhendi Bazaar, one of Mumbai's predominately Muslim quarters.
But three days after a series of bomb attacks in India's financial capital that left more than 150 dead and over 700 wounded, all is not quite as normal as it seems.
The narrow streets, lined with tea shops, sweet stalls and shops selling everything from second-hand electronics to mangoes, are bustling, but an underlying sense of tension prevails because Muslim militants are prime suspects.
Those who cautiously begin to speak about their feelings on Tuesday's blasts, are quickly told by fellow merchants to hush up and keep quiet about the bombings, fearing that sharing the same religion with those suspected of the attacks will spell trouble.
Indian officials on Thursday named Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as the prime suspect behind the coordinated bombings.
LeT has long operated in Indian-ruled Kashmir, but is believed to have expanded its area of operations recently.
It is blamed for bombings in New Delhi's markets in October that killed more than 60 people, as well as blasts in the holy Hindu city of Varanasi in March which killed 15.
Lashkar has denied any role in what it called "inhuman and barbaric acts."
But in a city wrought by Hindu-Muslim tensions over the last 15 years, with a history of riots, and bombings that have been blamed on Islamic extremists, Mumbai's Muslims fear a backlash from hard-line Hindus.
"If they are saying Muslims did it, then I am worried," says 48-year-old horologist Salim Rehman.
"It will incite those who do not like us and there could be trouble. Some people will want to use us as targets and for their own political gains."
Others have more practical fears, concerned they will be discriminated against in terms of getting good jobs, housing and places in schools for their children.
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