Hindu group tells Assam Hindus to ‘reject Muslim aid’ amid floods
New Delhi: In India, a Hindu organisation has sparked outrage in flood-hit Assam by urging Hindus not to accept relief from Muslim individuals and groups, targeting All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal, as the state reels under one of its worst floods in recent years.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the appeal was issued by Hindu Suraksha Sena even as official figures show around 80 people have died and lakhs have been displaced across several districts. Government agencies, volunteers and charity groups from across the country are engaged in relief and rescue work.
Ajmal, president of the All India United Democratic Front and former MP, along with several Muslim organisations, has been distributing food, medicines and essential items to affected families. He has also announced ₹2 crore in financial assistance and has been visiting flood-hit areas with medical teams.
In a public letter signed by the group’s secretary Mithun Das, Hindu Suraksha Sena urged Assamese Hindus not to accept assistance from Ajmal, claiming that financial aid “cannot erase the long history of attacks on indigenous people or Hindus.” “After Ajmal announced ₹2 crore for the recent flood victims in southern Assam, many people began praising him. We felt compelled to issue this appeal,” Das said.
“Ajmal may donate ₹2 crore or even ₹2,000 crore, but that cannot erase what we see as the long history of attacks on indigenous people or Hindus.” The appeal drew strong condemnation from Muslim leaders and activists. Ilyas Ahmed, president of Khudai Khidmatgar Assam Pradesh, accused the organisation of trying to create division during a humanitarian crisis.
“These organisations do not come forward to help during such disasters. Instead, they try to create conflict between Hindus and Muslims,” Ahmed said. “At such a difficult time, attempts to weaken Hindu-Muslim unity are completely wrong.”
Relief workers said volunteers from different communities have been working together to distribute food, water and medicines, and called for humanitarian efforts to remain free from political and communal politics as Assam continues to battle severe flooding.
