How residents in riot-hit NE Delhi are rebuilding lives — these then-&-now photos tell the story

Shops, homes and other properties that were burnt or vandalised during the February 2020 riots in northeast Delhi have since been rebuilt.

Children in Delhi's Brijpuri area that was hit by communal riots a year ago in February 2020 | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

New Delhi: It’s been a year since the communal riots that ravaged northeast Delhi between 23 February and 25 February 2020. The riots killed at least 53 people — 38 Muslims and 15 Hindus — and drove a sharp wedge between the two communities.

The riots were said to have been triggered by a clash between supporters and opponents of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

Most of the shops, homes and other properties that were burnt or vandalised a year ago have since been rebuilt. While visiting the streets of northeast Delhi recently, ThePrint’s Manisha Mondal captured how people have come to terms with their lives.

Then

The shops that were burnt at Shiv Vihar Tiraha on 25 February 2020 | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Now

Only the first floor of the building has since been rebuilt, since the owner does not have enough money to build the entire structure | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Then

A parking space in Shiv Vihar that was burnt to ashes on 25 February 2020 | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Now

Lesser numbers of cars are parked in that space today. The owner says not many people are eager to park their vehicles there after the riots | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Then

The Arun Public School that was vandalised and burnt on 25 February | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Now

The school has been rebuilt and renovation work is still going on | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Then

Mustafabad’s Farooqia Masjid was burnt on the evening of 25 February | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Now

The mosque has since been restored | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Then

Auliya Masjid in Shiv Vihar was torched by rioters on 25 February 2020 | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Now

The Auliya Masjid that also runs a madrasa has not been restored completely due to lack of funds, but children from nearby areas have started coming for classes  | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

How the streets of northeast Delhi look now

A message on the walls opposite the Farooqia Masjid in Mustafabad | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Children playing on the streets of Chand Bagh | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

A poster on Ram Mandir construction on the gate of a society in Brijpuri | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

A saffron flag hoisted at one of the houses in Brijpuri  | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Many residents ThePrint spoke to said the memory of the riots will continue to haunt them | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Children playing on the streets of Mustafabad | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

On the streets of Mustafabad, two girls were seen decked up to attend an event | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Children playing inside a shop at Chand Bagh that was partially burnt during the riots | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint

Students seen on a street in northeast Delhi | Photo: Manisha Mondal | ThePrint