“Muslims say law and order has improved in western UP. ‘But voting for BJP against our imaan’”, The Print, April 18, 2024:
“It’s past 11 pm, but this roadside pizza outlet in a small town called Dhampur is buzzing with people—mostly Muslim women. No, it’s not Eid and it’s not because of the election either. It’s the change that women, and men, Hindus, and Muslims, are experiencing across western Uttar Pradesh—the absence of fear of stepping out at night. The darkness that would earlier descend on people’s minds as evening came is being replaced by the confidence among families and friends that it’s safe to be out of home now.
A few years ago, we couldn’t think of going out in the evening. We were not safe, and our parents would worry about our safety. But things are changing now. We convince them that we will come back safely,” said 26-year-old Anjum Khatoon, enjoying a slice of pizza with her four friends at ‘Biggies Pizza’, located across the BJP’s local unit office.
After finishing their meal, the women took selfies standing next to the lightning trees, and posted the pictures on Instagram. “This is a huge change with women at the centre of it. Our leaving the house at night says a lot about the security situation,” Najma, a friend of Khatoon, said. All the women were dressed in a burqa……..”
Read the full article at Theprint.com
