Stories from volunteers and victims

  We were part of a legal aid camp set up at Mustafabad, Delhi, for riot-affected people from relief camps that had mushroomed in the city. We helped out individuals made homeless overnight in a “riot” that overwhelmingly affected Muslims only. We’ve recorded testimonies of chilling violence: arson and attacks leaving in their wake a destruction of life, limb and property. Our task was to get relief and rehabilitation for the victims. And to give legal aid to those arrested or detained under the label of “rioters.”  

   Victims? Relief camps? Detention? – What is that?

   While mainstream media drooled over Trump’s visit, pontificated on Kejriwal’s assembly sweep, and is now, immersed in Covid-19 updates – there is a section of displaced and disowned citizens who are invisible. We want to change that.  We are a team of volunteers: lawyers, executives, engineers, teachers, writers, students, home-makers; people who want to reach out and contribute in any capacity.

  We have now completed taking down testimonies for compensation forms and submitted them to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s (SDM) office. We had volunteers who helped riot-affected people move back to their homes and feel safe. We are still working round the clock to get people accused of rioting out of jails. 

  The genesis of this was a tweet explaining the work we were doing and the kind of volunteers we needed. And the response was this: some hundred odd lawyers, first aid workers, and other volunteers trying to make our city normal for the disfranchised.

  That was the beginning of Volunteers Collective. Over the days, you will read about our stories of despair and hope, setbacks and triumphs, and above all, solidarity in the time divisiveness – all from Ground Zero.