The exodus still hasn’t stopped. In fact, the ghettoisation is complete now. The city may be peaceful but Hindu residents of the Walled City, fearing further violence, have started migrating to ‘‘safer areas.’’ More than half the houses in the five pols around Mehsania Vas in Shahpur area have changed hands last year — Hindu residents have sold them to Muslims and migrated to western areas and outskirts of the city. ‘‘We always lived together. People got scared and started moving out after one of our youths was killed last year. It’s alarming but what can we do,’’ says Mukesh Patel, a resident of Mehsania Vas. The young man was 28-year-old Nitin Ganpat Parmar who was stabbed to death on March 15, 2002, near his house. ‘‘We have seen the 1969 communal riots but have never felt so threatened. My son was killed at the very spot where he used to hang out with other local youths of both communities,’’ says Ganpat Parmar. Barring Parmar’s house, all nine houses in Bapa Lal ni Chal of Mehsania Vas have been bought by Muslims. Parmar, who has since rented a house in Naroda area, says he is waiting for a buyer who can afford his price. ‘‘All 200 houses here were once owned by Hindus. More than 80 of them have been bought by Muslims last year,’’ says Dipak Patel, a Vas resident. ‘‘The presence of Muslims has us feeling threatened and we are also planning to move.’’ ‘‘Though Muslims have bought these houses, they don’t stay there. Maybe they are scared of moving in,’’ says Hasmukh Patel, a resident of Mehsania Vas. Similar is the scene at Dela Wali Khadki near Mehsania Vas where both communities resided peacefully pre-Godhra. Eighteen of the 20 houses have been bought by Muslims who aren’t staying here. ‘‘They will soon start staying here,’’ says Iqbal Saiyeed. City Deputy Collector Gaurav Prajapati says he noticed the trend while revising the electoral rolls for the last Assembly elections when it was found that many residents of the Walled City had migrated to the outskirts. ‘‘Population in Sarkhej constituency has increased from 5 lakh to 8 lakh and it was observed that many migrated from the Walled City,’’ he says. The story’s the same on the other side as well. Localities in Naroda area, one of the worst affected post-Godhra, are losing their Muslim residents to Muslim-dominated Juhapura, Sarkhej and Shah Alam. Sixty-five houses in the Municipal Labour Quarters owned by Muslims have been put up for sale, many have been rented out to members of the majority community. ‘‘Even when every Muslim left this place, I decided to stay put. Now, I have also rented out my house as I have realised that by staying here I will be putting my life in danger for no reason,’’ says Kasambhai Saiyeed. Saiyeed visits his house every morning for three hours and then goes back. ‘‘You never know what will happen and when,’’ he says. ‘‘We were targeted during the 1969 riots but stayed here. But now everyone around seems hostile and we no longer trust them,’’ says Salim Khan. ‘‘I have rented out my house till I can sell it,’’ he adds. Khan now stays in Juhapura and visits his house twice a week. Members of the majority community who stay here say it is an individual decision. ‘‘If they don’t want to stay here, what can we do? We have not asked them to leave,’’ says Girish Prajapati. Houses owned by Muslims in Dhobi ni Chali and Punjalal ni Chali on Naroda Road, which faced the brunt of the rioters’ ire, are now on sale. Of the 40-odd houses in Dhobi ni Chali, only 12 residents have returned — that too with the intention of selling their houses at the earliest. ‘‘How long can we stay at our relative’s place? If I get a buyer now, I will sell it and buy a house in Sarkhej or Shah Alam area,’’ says 72-year-old B.K. Mansuri. ‘‘Though we’ve known our neighbours for long, it is no longer safe for us here,’’ says Mansuri. ‘‘I can’t help selling my house. Times have changed,’’ he adds. ‘‘Though we returned three months ago, we have moved out four times for a few days as things were getting tense — during festivals and the India-Pakistan cricket match,’’ says Mohammad Arif Mansuri. ‘‘It is in my family’s interest that I move out.’’ However, the Hindu residents say they have no problems with their Muslim neighbours. ‘‘We have always stayed together and do not have a problem if they stay. It’s their decision,’’ says Madan Singh. ‘‘If they want to stay, they are welcome and if they don’t, then also they are welcome. What can we say?’’ asks Ganesh Rawat, a resident of Dhobi ni Chali.
