Awaz-The Voice/New Delhi

Madhulika Singh could not care less if no politician or government official called her to appreciate her for saving 15 lives during riots in Karauli, a small Rajasthan town. What makes her happy is that people around her are appreciating her for doing the “right thing.”

Amid the growing communal tensions Madhulika, a single mother of two, has set an example for all Indians. “I am a Rajput from Sawai Madhopur. How could I be scared of saving people’s lives?’’ she told Awaz-The Voice on phone from her home.

Life around her is back to normal. She has resumed her work of selling clothes in her small shop in a shopping complex. “Communal hatred will not lead us anywhere. Humanity says we should live in peace.” When people congratulate her for what she did in the face of rioters on that day, Madhulika says it’s no big deal. “Whatever I did was for humanity.”

Communal riots broke out on Ram Navmi day when hoologans pelted stones at Hindus who were taking out a procession of Lord Rama in Karauli. It led to clashes between two groups that degenerated into arson. Rioters were seen running amock indulging in arson and targeting innocent people in the market.

Amidst this dreadful scene, the 48-year-old Madhulika Singh stood her ground and saved the lives of people from both Hindu and Muslim communities.

Recalling those scary moments, she says, “I was alone at the shop. My sons were away on some work, even my brother was not there. Suddenly I heard noises and saw people downing their shutters.”

She then asked people what was happening. “I was told riots have broken out and an angry mob is approaching the market.” Her residence is also in the same building from where she runs her shop. Danish, Talib and Narender, and other neigbouring shopkeepers, who have their shops in the same complex approached her for help. “They are like my brothers. They all were very scared, so I had to do something to save them,” she said.

“Every day, we go through the same struggle working together, making our ends meet with whatever earnings we get from selling clothes,” she told Awaz-The Voice.

Madhulika was aware the shopkeepers’ houses were in far-off places and there was no way they could have made it to the safety of their homes. Her presence of mind worked. “I asked all of them to go hide inside a room in my house.”

She then closed the shutters and quickly locked it from inside. The violent mob passed by, there was no one in sight they could have targeted. For hours the shopkeepers were locked inside the house. It was only in the evening when their relatives came and took them away.

Also Read: Gutsy Madhulika saved 14 from rioters in Karauli

Madhulika’s husband passed away years ago. She has brought up her two sons, who are now educated and are looking for jobs. “Abhi toh mein dukan mein kapde bech kar hi dal roti chalati hoon (I make ends meet by selling clothes at my shop),” she says, but she would like to see her sons settle in life