UP must take action if exodus is proved
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has stated that the Uttar Pradesh government will have to take strict action, "if the reports of exodus of Hindus from Kairana are true." He made the statements during an event organised by the Border Security Force (BSF) in Rann of Kutch. Singh also stressed that "communal colour should not be given to the Kairana incidents."
The alleged exodus
Kairana is a city and municipal board in Shamali district in Uttar Pradesh. According to BJP MP Hukum Singh, for the last two years, Hindu families have been forced to migrate out of fear of Mukim Kala, a dreaded gangster in Kairana.
MP hands in list of retreated families
BJP MP Hukum Singh produced a list of 346 families that fled Kairana due to alleged persecution by other communities. According to him, if the list also included names of familes from regions near Kairana, there would be thousands more. He said that the town witnessed 10 communal killings in the last three years. The MP met Home Minister Rajnath Singh in this regard.
UP police's evidence refutes exodus claims
Examining the claims made by Hukum Singh, Uttar Pradesh police and authorities of the State's Shamli district submitted a list of 118 names that refute the same. People had mainly migrated for lack of better opportunities in their hometown. CM Akhilesh Yadav said, "BJP is lying. Most of the people left the village about 10-15 years back, others left for occupation 7-8 years back".
Chief Minister's reaction
UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav reacted to the allegations saying, "The BJP is alleging that the Samajawadi Party government forced the people flee from Kairana. BJP can be dishonest to this extent. A house-to-house search shows the lie of BJP".
BJP MP backtracks on Kairana statement
Hukum Singh, BJP MP, turning back on his previous allegations, said that the "migration" of Hindus from Kairana in western Uttar Pradesh is "not about communal incidents". The MP had released a list of 346 families who allegedly had to flee the town. According to the 2011 census, 80.74% of Kairana's population is Muslim and 18.34% of the pupulation are Hindus.
Centre asks UP to verify Kairana allegations
The Central Government demanded a detailed report from the UP government on the alleged Hindu exodus from Kairana. In a communication, the Home Ministry demanded that the state government verify the allegations and send back detailed report as early as possible. According to sources, the Centre is yet to receive a reply from the UP government, who deny the reports of the Kairana 'exodus'.
UP police deny Kairana allegations
DGP of Uttar Pradesh, Javeed Ahmed denied allegations of an 'exodus' from Kairana. He stated that the migration took place due to the fact that nearby industrial towns began providing better income, leading to a socio-economic demographic change. He added that "to link it to crime or communal problem would be very incorrect." He also said people need to be weary of rumor mongering.
Kairana: BJP bemoans breakdown of law and order
The BJP continued its demand for a CBI inquiry into the alleged 'exodus' of Hindus from Kairana. Several BJP MPs lambasted the UP government for its inaction over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. MPs also gave the UP government fifteen days to ensure that the families that were forced out, are able to return safely.
