Participant Perceptions in a Communal Riot

Participant Perceptions in a Communal Riot Parmod Kumar THIS note is based on a study conducted in 1977 in the Sadar Bazar- area of Delhi with a view to investigating the socio-economic background of the participants in a communal riot that took place in Sadar Bazar three years previously, in May 1974. Its purpose was to understand the ideological orientation of the participants and their perception of the immediate and root causes of the riot. For this purpose preliminary information regarding the participants was gathered from different sources such as police, political parties and the residents in the area. This was done to ensure the reliability of information through cross-checking and verifying of the information "provided by different sources. It was interesting to note that a good number of upper middle class participants were left out by the police whereas information about them was provided by the political parties and the residents of the area. It was further confirmed by the participants themselves who freely provided the information because of the assurance of complete anonymity. Altogether, 30 participants were interviewed.