Created violence

The Samiti members also understand that most communal violence is "created" and is seldom the "spontaneous outburst" it is touted to be. In their ward, fights usually start when drunkards come to buy the food sold at the laris (pushcarts), many of which are owned by Muslims.

"It starts with abuses, then they fight, someone will get beaten up, and one group will organise a mob," says Solanki, a narrative that is clearly the chronicle of a riot foretold. Shaikh adds, "It is under the influence of liquor that people throw stones and fight. In our area, alcoholism is the biggest problem."

Though prohibition is in force in Gujarat , illicit brewing and sale of liquor is widespread in the state. As one of its first initiatives, the Samiti hopes to enlist the community's help in stopping bootlegging in the locality. They also plan to approach the police if anyone creates trouble, even if it is someone from their own families.

This is the beginning that Aman Samuday, which started as a citizen's initiative during the riots, has been hoping for. Its members try to fight communal forces at two levels, says programme co-ordinator Md. Imran Ali . "We fight the cases legally, that is, in the courts. Second, we help in building an alliance of Dalits and Muslims. They form a sizeable population in Ahmedabad and can't be ignored."

The events of 2002 created a chasm between Dalits and Muslims. "Dalits were prodded to attack Muslims during the riots," says Nattwar Desai, an Aman Pathik, as volunteers working for peace with Aman Samudaya are called. "Those who influenced them, tempting them with alcohol and money, were mostly from the upper castes."

Reconciliation

To bridge the divide, Aman Pathiks have adopted various techniques. Ali says, "We first take up issues that concern both Dalits and Muslims, like slum demolitions. After this we bring up the subjects of reconciliation and peace."

They also encourage both the communities to celebrate each other's festivals. At Saraspur and Potalia, Dalit women tied rakhis on Muslim men, and both groups celebrated Id and Deepavali together, says Hozafa Ujjaini, an Aman Pathik. These initial moves for communal harmony finally crystallised as the Ekta Samiti.

At some point, Samiti members hope that they will be able to address issues such as poor sanitation and literacy levels. "We want to get gutters and electricity, and empower people with skills for work," says Shaikh. Solanki interrupts, "But first, we have to see there's peace in the area. That in itself will be a big achievement."

(The report arises out of a study on the impact of communal violence on education, funded by the Prabha Dutt Fellowship for Journalism)