Exclusive: Dadri Was a Communal Conspiracy, Says Akhlaq’s Son

The Dadri incident was was a conspiracy to create rift between communities, says Sartaj Akhlaq.

We still don’t know who spread the rumours about us eating beef. We’re also clueless about why someone conspired to ruin our family. I can’t get my father back. My family and I will have to live with the pain forever. Someone intentionally spread the rumours to create communal tension.

Sartaj Akhlaq, Muhammad Akhlaq’s eldest son

This is what Sartaj, the eldest son of Muhammad Akhlaq, who was lynched by a mob in Dadri last September had to say. Akhlaq was brutally killed in Bisada village for allegedly consuming beef.

In an exclusive interview to The Quint via email, Sartaj expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing investigation. He didn’t demand a CBI inquiry though.

Sartaj says the main conspirators are still at large and police should make efforts to nab them. So far, UP Police have arrested 17 accused, named by the victim’s family.

We don’t want to go back to our home in Bisada village. We are scared because the families of the accused live in our neighbourhood. Since my job might require me to move any day, I don’t want to leave my family alone.

Sartaj Akhlaq, Muhammad Akhlaq’s eldest son

Sartaj, a technician in the Indian Air Force, resides in the cantonment area in Delhi with his family of seven. His brother Danish, who was also lynched by the mob, is still recuperating. The right side of Danish’s face is now paralysed because of the assault.

My brother wanted to join the Indian Police service. He was preparing for UPSC exams, but now for at least one year he will not be able to sit for the exams. 

Sartaj Akhlaq, Muhammad Akhlaq’s eldest son

Sartaj was posted in Chennai when the Dadri incident took place. He was shocked when he was informed around 11 pm on that fateful night that his family has been attacked. When he tried to contact some of his neighbours, no one answered or returned his calls.

I had never faced communal tension in my village. I was shocked to know that an announcement was made from the temple premises. I grew up in this village, except for bhajan, nothing else was ever played on the temple’s loudspeaker.

Sartaj Akhlaq, Muhammad Akhlaq’s eldest son

Surprisingly, for the UP police, quizzing the priest who made the announcement from the temple does not seem important, despite the fact that it holds the key to many unanswered questions.

Worse still, no one knows where the priest is, and the temple is now without any caretaker. Is the police trying to protect the conspirators?

Our family never had an argument with anyone in the village. We shared cordial relations with our neighbours. I still don’t know why my family was targeted.

Sartaj Akhlaq, Muhammad Akhlaq’s eldest son

Do You Think India is Intolerant?

“Dil ka ek kona khali ho gaya hai, usko bharna mushkil hai” (There’s an emptiness in my heart, and it is difficult to overcome that) says Sartaj when asked if India has become intolerant. Nonetheless, Sartaj feels the good definitely outweigh the bad.

I don’t think that India is intolerant. But we need to be more liberal and open-minded in our approach.

Sartaj Akhlaq, Muhammad Akhlaq’s eldest son

Still in touch with his childhood friends, Sartaj says nothing has changed between them. Most of his friends from Bisada are Hindus and want them to return home. As of now, Sartaj is still waiting for justice.