Parsi–Muslim riots

The Parsi–Muslim riots occurred in 1851 in Bombay, and were reprised in 1874 in parts of Gujarat. These marked the beginning of a period of tension in the two communities. The first riot took place over the blurred depiction of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad, and his appearance in a public print by a Parsi newspaper, Chitra Gyan Darpan, in October 1851. A second riot place on May 1857,over a Parsi named Bejonji Sheriaiji Bharucha was accused of disrespecting a mosque by some Muslims. A third riot took place on 13 February 1874, over an article on the life of Muhammad in a book entitled Famous Prophets and Communities.

Quotes

 * An article  in  a  magazine,  edited  by  a  Parsi  youth,  gave  an  account  of  the  Prophet  of  Arabia  which  lacked  ‘‘that  sentiment  of  respect  and  tolerance  which  is  due  to  a  sister  community”.  The  lithographed  portrait  of  the  Prophet,  which  was  given  with  the  article, also  gave  umbrage,  and  “an  undiscovered  villain  added  fuel  to  the fire  by  posting  a  copy  of  the  picture,  with  ribald  and  obscene  remarks underneath,  on  the  main  entrance  of  the  principal  mosque.”  Large crowds  of  Muhammadans  assembled  in  the  mosques  of  the  town  with the  Qur’an  in  one  hand  and  a  knife  in  the  other.  At  a  meeting  held on  October  7,  1851,  they  proclaimed  a  Jih&d  (holy  war)  against  the Parsis.  They  overwhelmed  the  small  police  force  on  duty  and  marched  triumphantly  to  the  Parsi  quarters  of  the  Bombay  town.  The Parsis  were  “belaboured  mercilessly  by  the  rioters”.  “For  weeks together,  that  part  of  Bombay  was  a  scene  of  pillage  and  destruction, and  the  Parsis  had  to  put  up  with  shocking  atrocities  such  as  defilement  of  corpses”.  “Only  after  the  editor  had  been  compelled  to tender  a  written  apology  a  truce  was  declared”.  “In  connection with  this  disturbance  the  Parsi  community  looked  in  vain  to  the police  for  protection.  If  not  altogether  hostile,  they  were  indifferent.  Dddabhai  Naoroji,  who  witnessed  the  tragedy,  hastened  the publication  of  the  eRast  Goftar’  and  wrote  strong  articles  against  the Government  for  indifference  and  failure  of  duty.  He  also  rebuked the  cowardly  Parsi  leaders  for  having  tamely  submitted  to  such outrages.”
 * Volume 10: British Paramountcy and Indian Renaissance, Part 2 [1818-1905] pp 326ff


 * Another riot  took  place  in  1874  of  which  there  is  an  eye-witness account  by  the  great  Indian  leader  Pherozeshah  Mehta.67*.  In  a book  written  by  a  Parsi  vaccinator  there  was  a  reference  to  the Prophet  which  was  regarded  as  objectionable  by  the  Muslims.  The publication  was  accordingly  suppressed  by  the  Government  and  the author  was  made  to  apologize  for  any  affront  he  might  have  inadvertently  offered.  Nevertheless,  there  was  “a  brutal  and  unwarranted  attack  on  Parsis  by  a  mob  of  Mohamedans”,  on  13  February, 1874.  They  “invaded  Parsi  places  of  worship,  tore  up  the  prayer- books,  extinguished  the  sacred  fires  and  subjected  the  fire-temples to  various  indignities.  Parsis  were  attacked  in  the  streets  and  in their  houses  and  free  fights  took  place  all  over  the  city.  Thanks  to the  weakness  and  supineness  of  the  police  and  the  Government,  hooliganism  had  full  play  and  considerable  loss  of  life  and  damage  to property  were  caused”.  The  riot  continued  for  several  days  till  the military  was  called  out. Pherozeshah  Mehta,  like  Dadabhai  Naoroji,  none  of  whom  one would  accuse  of  having  any  special  animosity  against  the  Muslims  or the  British  Government,  has  laid  emphasis  on  the  callousness  of  the police  and  the  indifference  of  the  Government.  “The  attitude  of  the Commissioner  of  Police  was  particularly  hostile  and  objectionable. The  Governor  told  a  Parsi  deputation  that  waited  on  him  that  the conduct  of  the  community  had  been  injudicious  and  unconciliatory and  advised  it  to  make  its  peace  with  the  Muhammadans  and  to  learn the  lesson  of  defending  itself  without  dependence  on  the  authorities.”
 * Volume 10: British Paramountcy and Indian Renaissance, Part 2 [1818-1905] pp 326ff


 * A serious riot took place in Bombay in 1851. An article written by a Parsi youth on the Prophet of Arabia gave umbrage to the Muslims. At a meeting held on 7 October, 1851, they proclaimed a jihad (holy war) against the Parsis. They over- whelmed the small police force on duty and marched triumphantly to the Parsi quarters of the Bombay town. The Parsis were "belaboured mercilessly by the rioters.” “For weeks together that part of Bombay was a scene of pillage and destruction,, and the Parsis had to put up with shocking atrocities such as defile- ment of corpses.” Throughout the trouble the Parsi community failed to secure any police protection. 43
 * History Of The Freedom Movement In India Majumdar RC, I. 437ff


 * There was again a similar riot in Bombay in 1874 » of which there are eye witnesses' accounts from two great Indian leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji and Pherozeshah Mehta. In a book written by a Parsi vaccinator there was a reference to the Prophet which was regarded as objectionable by the Muslims. The publication was accordingly suppressed by the Government and the author was made to apologize for arty affront he might have> inadvertently offered. Nevertheless, there was “a brutal and unwarranted attack on Parsis by a mob of Mohamedans.”
 * History Of The Freedom Movement In India Majumdar RC, I. 437ff


 * They "invaded Parsi places of worship, tore up the prayer- books, / extinguished the sacred fires and subjected the fire-temples to various indignities. Parsis were attacked in the streets and in their houses and free fights took place all over the city. Thanks to the weakness and supineness of the police and the Govern- ment, hooliganism had full play and considerable loss of life and damage to property were caused.” The riot continued for several days till the military was called out.
 * History Of The Freedom Movement In India Majumdar RC, I. 437ff


 * Both Pherozeshah Mehta and Dadabhai, whom no one would accuse of having any special animosity against the Muslims or the British Government, have laid emphasis on the callousness of the police and the . indifference of the Government. "The attitude of the Commissioner of Police was particularly hostile and objectionable. Even the Governor advised a Parsi deputation, that waited' on him, to make its peace with the Muhammadans and to learn the lesson of defending itself without dependence on the authorities.” 44
 * History Of The Freedom Movement In India Majumdar RC, I. 437ff