09-14-2011, 11:30 AM
[size="3"][url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/BJPs-Albatross/articleshow/9970929.cms"]BJP's Albatross[/url] : TOI -- 14/09/2011
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[size="3"]Taken together, the Gujarat chief minister is certainly not off the hook. But regardless of the question of his personal culpability for the riots, what stands out is that nine years later the victims are yet to see justice. There's a depressing pattern whereby whether it's communal violence or terror, the Indian state appears incapable of imposing its writ and bringing to book the perpetrators of heinous violence. Since this leads to cycles of further violence, it's a governance issue as critical as widespread corruption.[/size]
[size="3"]Though Modi has evaded prosecution so far, he can't claim innocence. Comments justifying the riots - such as every action having an equal and opposite reaction - betray grave negligence on the part of the Gujarat chief minister, ignoring his constitutional duty to protect the people of his state. Nor did Modi lift a finger against the bandh called by his party along with right-wing Hindu groups, which triggered riots by parading the bodies of Godhra victims. While Modi was quick to visit Godhra after the Sabarmati Express carnage, he made no efforts to visit the riot-affected areas in Ahmedabad. Much of this has been noted in the SIT report, which would be furnished to the trial court for consideration.[/size]
[size="3"]Modi can be credited with Gujarat's impressive economic growth, but the 2002 riots continue to prevent his rise at the national stage. This has also made him the albatross around the BJP's neck, driving away minority votes and making NDA allies wary. The Congress too has the 1984 anti-Sikh riots to answer for. But at least it has since apologised for the tragedy. [color="#0000ff"]{So that incident is on even keel now, CONgress has apologised. Souls are going to rest in peace. Everybody go home now and slumber like good citizens....Meanwhile, if Modi apologises, we will make sure that the hindus never live it down for the rest of their cultural existence...}[/color] As the BJP's poster boy, Modi should follow suit. That would mend his image and remove the obstacles to his entry on the national stage. [/size]
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Quote:With the Supreme Court directing the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to submit its report on the Zakia Jafri petition seeking Narendra Modi's prosecution in the 2002 Gujarat riots to the relevant trial court, the BJP has declared victory. The apex court's order has been interpreted as a clean chit for the Gujarat chief minister. However, the celebrations are premature. The Supreme Court's direction needs to be seen in the context of the due process of law. Having finished its investigation in the matter, the SIT logically has no need to continue monitoring the case. Modi's fate now rests with the trial court, which has to take into account not only the SIT's report but also the adverse observations against the Modi administration made by the amicus curiae.[/size]
[size="3"]Taken together, the Gujarat chief minister is certainly not off the hook. But regardless of the question of his personal culpability for the riots, what stands out is that nine years later the victims are yet to see justice. There's a depressing pattern whereby whether it's communal violence or terror, the Indian state appears incapable of imposing its writ and bringing to book the perpetrators of heinous violence. Since this leads to cycles of further violence, it's a governance issue as critical as widespread corruption.[/size]
[size="3"]Though Modi has evaded prosecution so far, he can't claim innocence. Comments justifying the riots - such as every action having an equal and opposite reaction - betray grave negligence on the part of the Gujarat chief minister, ignoring his constitutional duty to protect the people of his state. Nor did Modi lift a finger against the bandh called by his party along with right-wing Hindu groups, which triggered riots by parading the bodies of Godhra victims. While Modi was quick to visit Godhra after the Sabarmati Express carnage, he made no efforts to visit the riot-affected areas in Ahmedabad. Much of this has been noted in the SIT report, which would be furnished to the trial court for consideration.[/size]
[size="3"]Modi can be credited with Gujarat's impressive economic growth, but the 2002 riots continue to prevent his rise at the national stage. This has also made him the albatross around the BJP's neck, driving away minority votes and making NDA allies wary. The Congress too has the 1984 anti-Sikh riots to answer for. But at least it has since apologised for the tragedy. [color="#0000ff"]{So that incident is on even keel now, CONgress has apologised. Souls are going to rest in peace. Everybody go home now and slumber like good citizens....Meanwhile, if Modi apologises, we will make sure that the hindus never live it down for the rest of their cultural existence...}[/color] As the BJP's poster boy, Modi should follow suit. That would mend his image and remove the obstacles to his entry on the national stage. [/size]
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