A panic trip to Kishanganj

This past week I visited my hometown Kishanganj to celebrate the festival of Eid with my family and relatives. Due to my busy work schedule, usually I visit my native land in long intervals. Each time the enthusiasm for home going remain on high and I try to enjoy every moment at the fullest. This time my trip was on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, so the excitement had increased many folds.

On September 29, I reached Kishanganj and was welcomed by incessant rains. The rains lashed the town for two days that forced me to remain stuck within the boundaries of my home. Two full days provided me a welcome break from the hot environs of Delhi. But, my parents’ worry about the post Jamia Nagar encounter condition malign the happiness of my home coming.

As my residence is close to Jamia Nagar, so they put a streak of questions before me and raised the question regarding my safety. Their questions were genuine as the area was under police vigilance since the encounter. Next, their concern for me was natural as they are my parents.


Meanwhile, my kiths and kins enquired about me over the phone with certain amount of anxiety. Most of them asked me about Jamia Nagar encounter and the situation in locality. I was not in mood to discuss the chaos of Delhi with them, but unwillingly I had to answer them.

Some of my relatives’ children are studying in Jamia Millia Islamia University, so they were also anxious about the safety of their dear ones. Besides, several other persons with whom I met in the town were shocked and In fact, some parents told that they could not put their children in danger and planning to call them back to home. Their decision stunned me, as that might spoil the career of their children. I tried my best to console them and told them not to take any decision in hurry.

On the whole, for the seven days during my stay the nightmare of Delhi was not leaving me and it muffled the zeal of my trip to home. At a fast pace, my departure day to Delhi came and train was scheduled in the evening. While in the morning I was engaged in packing, my mother came to me with eyes in tears. By waving hand over my head she told me beta ‘Kya taqdir hai hamari, sirf roji roti ke liye tumhe itni door rehte ho. Allah tumhari hifajat kare’ (how is our fate, only for winning break you stay at such a long distance. May Allah save you from unpleasant circumstances).

My father was also in similar state and blessed me with lots of dua (prayer). He also saw off me in the railway station with tears in eyes, by saying ‘Allah tumhari hifajat kare’. The moment the train left the railway station several questions raised in my mind. Like, who am I and what is my sin? Why Muslim parents need to worry about their children living in the national capital, the heart of country? For the whole journey I remained disturbed and asked to myself am I really living in an independent country?

Sadly I jumped to a conclusion that our country is inching towards a dangerous direction. If educated and well-aware Muslims like we can worry about ourselves to visit the national capital, you can imagine how much the environment of the country has been maligned by some bed elements.

What is the fact behind the Jamia Nagar encounter the judicial probe will prove that in coming days, but the incident has certainly shocked the Muslims across the country. I appeal to all responsible Indians please don’t suspect all Muslims in the name of ‘terror’. In addition, the police should also generate confidence among the students residing in extreme fear in Okhla locality, because most of them are from far of places and came here Delhi only to heart make their career not to destroy the nation and its people.