I remember Javed Anand from the days when Mumbai was in the grip of one of the worst communal riots in 1992. All hell had been let loose on the Muslim community by those who had planned them.

Javed was a Muslim by birth. Psychologically, though not physically, he felt at the receiving end of the game plan of the Hindu communalists. And, as a journalist and an aware Muslim, he could analyse the situation and knew that communalism had grown and taken root not only among the Hindus but also among the Muslims.

It had, in fact, a history of a long action-reaction chain that began in the pre-freedom years. The self-interest of a few among both communities was responsible for this.

What he saw during the riots hurt him deeply and, with no thought as to how he would be able to run a journal with the limited resources he had, he launched Communalism Combat with the help of friends and associates.

I have seen him struggling to survive with his journal, in an adverse situation. I have also felt his perseverance, commitment and inner drive to do something to halt the onslaught of communal poison in his country.

Teesta joined him with her aggressive spirit and fervour, and now the journal has grown into an effective weapon against those who are behind the communal game. This has been felt especially during and after the recent communal carnage in Gujarat. The campaign to bring the guilty to light and see them punished is one of the most effective campaigns I have seen in recent times.

I wish Communalism Combat a wide circulation, much beyond what it has now.