Patna: Amid objections from his alliance partner the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced the government will repair mosques and madrasas damaged during the recent communal violence which gripped the state for about a fortnight. The BJP, it may be noted that, has accused the Nitish Kumar government of showing partiality in its approach.
Acting swiftly, the state government has already released a fund of Rs3.6 million to be used for repairing mosques, madrasas and paying compensation to the victims of communal violence.
Of the total amount released, Rs200,000 will be used for the repair of Gudri mosque and Jiaul-Ulum Madrasa located in Samastipur district, a government official said. Both were targeted by the frenzied mob during the communal violence which rocked the district last month.
Likewise, the state government has allotted Rs2.5 million to pay compensation to those whose shops were set ablaze by the angry mob in Aurangabad district. As per reports, around 50 shops were torched or robbed by rioting mobs in the district which, elders said, never saw such level of communal frenzy in the past. The place reeled under communal violence for four days as the government had to battle hard to restore peace.
Another Rs850,000 has been released for compensating affected people in Nawada, another Bihar district which witnessed communal violence. As per reports, a total of nine districts faced communal violence during the Hindus festival of Ramnavami this year.
Bihar chief minister has promised to maintain communal harmony at all cost. “I can’t tolerate communalism just as I have never compromised with corruption come what may,” Chief Minister Kumar has gone on record saying.
