Razakar violence explained: Adityanath points to tragedy in which Mallikarjun Kharge’s ’mother, sister’ died
- Accusing Mallikarjun Kharge of suppressing painful memories and forgetting the history of the Razakars despite personal loss, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said the Congress president was purposely keeping mum on the tragic death of his mother and sister.
Days after Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing attack on Yogi Adityanath over the ‘Batenge to Katenge’ slogan, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister countered the Congress chief saying that the latter purposely kept mum on the “death of his mother and sister in an attack by Razakars.”
Addressing a poll rally in Maharashtra's Amravati, the UP chief minister claimed that despite suffering a personal loss, Kharge had conveniently forgotten the history of the Razakars under the Nizam of Hyderabad and was suppressing this truth, fearing he might lose Muslim votes.
Adityanath also claimed that Kharge's village, Varawatti, was burned down by the Razakars.
Recently, speaking to media persons in Nagpur, Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis also referred to the term Razakars, saying that the 'Razakars' tortured the people of Marathwada, looted their lands, and destroyed families.
What does Razakar mean?
Razakar means 'volunteer' or 'helper' in Persian and Urdu, who are said to have collaborated with the Pakistani Army during the 1971 War of Independence.
According to anthropologist Nayanika Mookherjee, it is used as abuse, reported the Indian Express.
Who were Razakars?
The Razakars were a paramilitary force that operated in the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad. It was the armed wing of the Majlis-e-Itthadul Muslimeen.
What was their objective?
A primary objective of the Razakars was to maintain the rule of the Muslim Nizams of Hyderabad and prevent Hyderabad's accession to India.
What happened to Kharge's family?
Mallikarjun Kharge was born in the Varawatti village of Bhalki Taluk in Bidar district in 1942. When he was six years old, his family became a victim of riots in Bidar by the Razakars, which was headed by Kasim Razvi.
According to News18, in an interview with CNN-News18, Kharge's son Priyank had said that a neighbour had rushed to tell his grandfather that the Razakars had set their house on fire, while he was working in the fields.
“The Razakars were attacking every village in sight. They were a four lakh-strong army and were acting on their own as they did not have a leader. My grandfather rushed home, but could only save my father, who was within his arm’s reach. It was too late to save my grandmother and aunt who died in the tragedy."
Independence from Nizam rule
After independence, the then princely state of Hyderabad enjoyed autonomy under British rule. It had refused to become a part of India even a year after India secured Independence from the British. Meanwhile, the Razakars continued to carry out atrocities against common people. Following that, ‘Operation Polo’ was launched in 1948 and within a few days, on September 17, the state of Hyderabad got its independence from Nizam’s rule.
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Business NewsNewsIndiaRazakar violence explained: Adityanath points to tragedy in which Mallikarjun Kharge’s ’mother, sister’ died
First Published:13 Nov 2024, 08:46 PM IST
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