A year after Delhi riots: Ayan is still weeping

This February marks one year since the racist attack happened in the country's capital, with the connivance of law enforcers right in front of the government's eyes.

While the perpetrators of the killings and atrocities are roaming free, the families of those killed, student leaders and social activists who raised their voice against the controversial citizenship law were put behind the bars.

Even when the government and the law enforcers are giving up, the victims of the riots are determined to fight back and regain their lives.

'Madhyamam' is investigating the current situation of their lives

The reawakening of broken lives

Mustafabad may not have faded away from our memories. The land of Ayan who made us all shed tears during the Delhi riots.

The picture of Ayan's shedding tears near the body of Muddasir Khan who was shot dead by the rioters is still in our fresh memory. The tragic death of his uncle, who was always dear to the place and his family, still haunts Ayan, who is in eighth-grade now.

Muddasir used to run plastic company inherited from his father. The income from this, which kept the ties between the family and extended family members, including his wife and eight daughters, was all of a sudden shattered with the demise of Muddasir.

His widow Imrana is now in the throes of life with her prematurely abandoned children in order to meet with ends.

We reached the house of Muddassir Khan on an evening after Ayan's tuition.

Ayan, who was always wordily about his studies and tuition, fell into silence when asked about his uncle.

Shifa, his eldest daughter who is a fine student said that her father wanted her to become a doctor and was working hard to make it happen. With a monthly scholarship from an NGO, Human Welfare Foundation, and with an optimistic spirit, she said that she will be able to continue her studies despite the financial crisis.

Her sisters Salma and Mariyam, who were studying at a women's madrassa hostel in Bareilly, did not attend any further classes there after their father died.

Salma said that she and Mariyam would continue their studies at a school in Mustafabad. The 13-year-old who completed a six-month beautician course hopes to support the family with the income that she receives from bridal makeovers.

Muddasir's father pointed out that many had come up with financial and mental support after the riots. The family is not pursuing any kind of cases on their own except for a case registered by the Crime Branch.

No arrests have been made in the Muddasir murder case yet.