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 Gujarat Carnage 2002: A Report To the Nation By  An Independent Fact Finding Mission: Dr. Kamal Mitra Chenoy, S.P.Shukla, K.S. Subramanian, Achin Vanaik [ 10 April 2002] Acknowledgements This Report would not have been possible without the extensive support and generous contributions from citizens and groups in Gujarat and Delhi. We are grateful for their help. Introduction An independent fact finding mission consisting of Dr. Kamal Mitra Chenoy, Associate Professor, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; S.P. Shukla, IAS [retd.], former Finance Secretary of India & former Member, Planning Commission; K.S. Subramanian, IPS [retd.], former Director General of Police, Tripura; and Achin Vanaik, Visiting Professor, Third World Academy, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, was set up to investigate the Gujarat carnage of February-March 2002. The terms of reference of the fact finding mission were to find out the truth of the Godhra incident in which a bogie of the Sabarmati Express was burnt and 58 people were killed, the  possible use of this tragic incident in regard to the communal conflagration that followed, and to ascertain whether there was any official complicity in that conflagration, and if so, to what extent. The findings of this mission will be presented to the Concerned Citizensí Tribunal set up in Gujarat. In this connection, the team visited Ahmedabad and Godhra from March 22 nd  to March 26 th  2002. We met a large number of victims of the communal violence, eyewitnesses, administrative and police people [serving and retired], journalists, judges, lawyers, NGO and civil society activists, relief camp managers, and others. In view of the sensitive nature of the information provided and the fact that violence continues in Gujarat, the names of all those who interacted with us and gave information and views are not being disclosed. Section 1. The Sabarmati Express Incident, Godhra The tragic communal killings on the Sabarmati Express on February 27 th , 2002 were  preceded by repeated incidents of provocation and harassment of Muslim passengers by kar sewaks travelling by the train on the preceding days. The Jan Morcha [Faizabad] daily in a report of February 24 th  detailed instances of misbehaviour by kar sewaks who allegedly hit and threatened Muslim passengers with iron rods, insisted that they shout "jai Shri Ram," and forcibly unveiled Muslim women. Many persons in Ahmedabad and Godhra also reported such instances. Since such communally inspired and provocative  behaviour was commonly known, it is strange that as the National Human Rights Commission [NHRC] in its Interim Report has also observed, no action including a police escort, was taken at the time, in view of the known communally charged atmosphere in Godhra. We will deal with this administrative lapse in the third section on "State

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  • 09/07/2015 GujaratCarnage2002AReportTotheNationbyanindependentFactfinding:DrKamalMitraChenoy,S.P.Shukla,K.S.Subramanium,AchinVa

    http://www.sacw.net/Gujarat2002/GujCarnage.html 1/38

    GujaratCarnage2002:AReportTotheNationByAnIndependentFactFindingMission:

    Dr.KamalMitraChenoy,S.P.Shukla,K.S.Subramanian,AchinVanaik

    [10April2002]

    Acknowledgements

    ThisReportwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithouttheextensivesupportandgenerouscontributionsfromcitizensandgroupsinGujaratandDelhi.Wearegratefulfortheirhelp.

    Introduction

    AnindependentfactfindingmissionconsistingofDr.KamalMitraChenoy,AssociateProfessor,SchoolofInternationalStudies,JawaharlalNehruUniversity,NewDelhiS.P.Shukla,IAS[retd.],formerFinanceSecretaryofIndia&formerMember,PlanningCommissionK.S.Subramanian,IPS[retd.],formerDirectorGeneralofPolice,TripuraandAchinVanaik,VisitingProfessor,ThirdWorldAcademy,JamiaMilliaIslamia,NewDelhi,wassetuptoinvestigatetheGujaratcarnageofFebruaryMarch2002.ThetermsofreferenceofthefactfindingmissionweretofindoutthetruthoftheGodhraincidentinwhichabogieoftheSabarmatiExpresswasburntand58peoplewerekilled,thepossibleuseofthistragicincidentinregardtothecommunalconflagrationthatfollowed,andtoascertainwhethertherewasanyofficialcomplicityinthatconflagration,andifso,towhatextent.ThefindingsofthismissionwillbepresentedtotheConcernedCitizensTribunalsetupinGujarat.

    Inthisconnection,theteamvisitedAhmedabadandGodhrafromMarch22ndtoMarch26th2002.Wemetalargenumberofvictimsofthecommunalviolence,eyewitnesses,administrativeandpolicepeople[servingandretired],journalists,judges,lawyers,NGOandcivilsocietyactivists,reliefcampmanagers,andothers.InviewofthesensitivenatureoftheinformationprovidedandthefactthatviolencecontinuesinGujarat,thenamesofallthosewhointeractedwithusandgaveinformationandviewsarenotbeingdisclosed.

    Section1.TheSabarmatiExpressIncident,Godhra

    ThetragiccommunalkillingsontheSabarmatiExpressonFebruary27th,2002wereprecededbyrepeatedincidentsofprovocationandharassmentofMuslimpassengersbykarsewakstravellingbythetrainontheprecedingdays.TheJanMorcha[Faizabad]dailyinareportofFebruary24thdetailedinstancesofmisbehaviourbykarsewakswhoallegedlyhitandthreatenedMuslimpassengerswithironrods,insistedthattheyshout"jaiShriRam,"andforciblyunveiledMuslimwomen.ManypersonsinAhmedabadandGodhraalsoreportedsuchinstances.Sincesuchcommunallyinspiredandprovocativebehaviourwascommonlyknown,itisstrangethatastheNationalHumanRightsCommission[NHRC]initsInterimReporthasalsoobserved,noactionincludingapoliceescort,wastakenatthetime,inviewoftheknowncommunallychargedatmosphereinGodhra.Wewilldealwiththisadministrativelapseinthethirdsectionon"State

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    Complicity?"below.

    InthewholeofGujarat,therewascommunaltensionbecauseoftheVishwaHinduParishads[VHP]publiclyannouncedprogrammeofshilapujanonMarch15th,2002.Inviewofitsearlierhistoryofcommunalviolence,whichcommencedevenpriortoPartition,andtheepisodiccommunaloutbreaksafterthemajorriotsof1969,GujaratisaparticularlyvulnerableandsensitiveState.EventhoughacompromisewiththeVHPwasarrivedat,beforetheeventsinquestioncommunaltensionsremained,andwidesectionsoftheGujaratipopulacewereapprehensiveofthefuture.

    GodhraisasmalltownwitharoughlyequalpopulationofMuslimsandHindus,andalongandbloodyhistoryofcommunaltensionandviolence.TheMuslimsoftheSingalFaliyaareaneartherailwaystation,whoallegedlyattackedtheSabarmatiExpresswithtragicconsequences,areGhanchisalargelyuneducatedandpoorcommunity,alargenumberofwhomarereportedlytabliquisoftheDeobanditradition,whohavebeenactiveparticipantsinearlierroundsofcommunalviolence.

    TheSabarmatiExpress[9166UP]wasdueat2.55AMontheearlymorningofFebruary27thatGodhrastation.TherehadreportedlybeeninstancesofmisbehaviourwithMuslimpassengersonthetrainenroute.OneMuslimfamilythatrefusedtoshoutslogansof"jaiShriRam,"wasaccordingtoinformants,forcedtodisembarkfromthetrainatthedeadofnight.ItisclaimedthatthetrainguardphonedhissuperiorsfromMeghnagarthatkarsewakswerecarryingexplosivematerialincoachnumberS6.Whilewewereunabletogetconfirmationofthisparticularreport,itappearstherewascommunaltensiononthetrainwellbeforeitreachedGodhra.

    TheSabarmatiExpresswaslate,notanuncommonevent,andarrivedinGodhraonplatformnumber1,almostfivehourslateat7.43AMinsteadofthescheduledtime2.55AM.Inviewofthelargenumberofpassengers,whichincludedanestimated1700karsewaks,thevendorsincludingunlicensedGhanchivendorswhoslipintotherailwaystationtosellteaandsnacks,decidedtoraisetheratetoRs.5acup.Somekarsewaksrefusedtopayfortheteaandsnacksandgotintoanaltercationwiththevendors.AnoldGhanchivendor,whoisabsconding,wasorderedtoshoutproRamaslogansandhisbeardwasreportedlypulledwhenherefused.Thiswasfollowedimmediatelybystonethrowingandphysicalassaultsstarted.AMuslimladyJaitinbibiwaswaitingforthetraintoVadodara[Baroda]scheduledataround8AMalongwithhertwoyoungdaughters,SophiyaandShahidi.Onseeingthefracas,theytriedtoleavethestation.Whiledoingthis,theywerestoppedbyakarsewakwhograbbedoneoftheteenageddaughtersSophiyaandtriedtodragherinsidethecompartment,butcontrarytolaterpressreportsandrumoursfailedtodoso.SubsequentlythisfamilyleftforVadodora,butajournalistwhospokewiththemandhasphotocopiesoftheirrailwaytickets,confirmedthestorytous.AnotherinformantwhospoketoSophiyasrelativeinGodhra,wherethefamilyhadcometospendIdwithrelatives,alsoconfirmedtheseparticulars.

    Thefracasontheplatformlastedaround15to20minutesbeforethetrainbegantopullout.Buttheemergencychainwaspulledinoneofthethreefrontgeneralcompartmentbogiesofthe16bogietrain,[bogiesS5andS6wereeleventhandtwelfthrespectivelyinthischain]anditstoppedbrieflywhenthelastbogie,alsoageneralcompartment,was,byvariousaccounts,infrontofthemainexitgateoftheplatform.Afterafewminutes,itmovedtolessthanakilometrefromtheplatformandwasstoppedagainbyanemergencychainbeingpulled,thistimereportedlyincoachesS5orS6.Apparentlyincensedbyreportsofthemisbehaviourwithmembersoftheircommunitybythekarsewaksandthemolestation,evenrumouredabduction,ofaMuslimwoman,amobofupto2,000peopleallegedlyofGhanchisfromSingalFaliyaattackedthetrainwithstonesandfirebombs.

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    Thekarsewaksofalmostequalstrengththrewstonesback.ThemaintargetoftheGhanchimobappearstohavebeencoachS6whichwasbadlyburntandinwhich58passengers,including26women,12childrenand20mendied.Theattackisestimatedtohavetakenplacebetween8.05and8.15AM.Incomparisontheadjoiningcoach,S5wasnotbadlydamaged,withonlyafewwindowsbroken.

    SincethespotisjustalittlemorethanastonesthrowfromthestationandinclearsighttheGovernmentRailwayPolice[GRP]jawansreachedthespotwithinminutes.But,forreasonsunknown,theymadenoefforttofirewarningshotstodispersethemob.TheirrolewillbeexaminedlaterinSection3below.Thearrivalofthefirefighterswasallegedlydelayedbyalocalleader,wholedamobthatdetainedafireenginebriefly.

    BythetimetheDistrictSuperintendentofPolice[DSP]reachedthesiteby8.30AM,themobhaddispersed.SinceheheardnocriesoranysoundsfromcoachS6,hehadnoapprehensionsofmassiveciviliancasualtiesinthatcoach.ThiswasdiscoveredonlylaterwhentheDistrictCollectorenteredthecoach.Reportedly,allthebodieswereinaheapinthecentreofthecoachS6.

    TheenragedkarsewakslearningoftheciviliandeathscausedbytheghastlyburningofcoachS6thentriedtoattackanearbymosqueinSingalFaliya.Thepolicefired30teargasshellsandfourteenroundsoflivebulletstodispersethemobofkarsewaks.ThedamagedcoachesS5andS6weredetached,andthetraindepartedwiththerestofthepassengersat12.40PM.Accordingtoinformants,somekarsewaksintheSabarmatiExpressonthewaybackstabbed2or3peopleattheVadodararailwaystation,givingaclearwarningofthingstocome.Theinquestandpostmortemofalltherecoveredbodieswasundertakenby4.30PM.UnderinstructionsfromtheadministrationinAhmedabad,allthebodies,excluding5thatwereofpassengersfromtheGodhraregionorthatsideofGujarat,weredispatchedtotheCivilHospital,atSola,Ahmedabad.ThearrivalofthedeadbodiesinAhmedabad,andtheirconsequentfuneral,couldhavebeenexpectedtoworsenanalreadyinflamedsituation.WewilldiscussthisinSection3below.

    CertainquestionsariseaboutthetragicburninginGodhra.WhydidtheresidentsofSingalFaliyaattackthetrain?Wasthisattackpreplanned?Ifitwasnt,howdidamobofupto2,000gatheratsuchshortnotice?Iftheattackwaspreplanned,wasitbyaforeignagency,asclaimedshortlythereafterbyChiefMinisterNarendraModi,andlaterbyUnionHomeMinisterLKAdvani?Whydidthemobattackwithdeadlyweaponslikefirebombs?WhydiditspecificallyattackcoachS6?Whydidthecoachburnsorapidlysothatasmanyas58passengerscouldnotescape?With4exitsavailable:2coachdoorsonthesideawayfromtheattackingmob,andthe2vestibuleexitstotheadjoiningcoaches,whydidsomanypassengersgettrapped?Whywerentconcertedeffortsmadetorescuethembypassengersoftheadjoiningcoaches,andthehundredsofkarsewaks?Whopulledtheemergencychainsandwhy?

    TheauthoritiesandallinformedpersonsinGodhrawerequitecategoricalthattherewasnosignificantevidencetoproveanyforeignhandinthetragedy.Becausetroublehadstartedattherailwaystationitself,bythetimethetrainreachedSingalFaliyasomefifteenminuteslater,themobhadhadsufficienttimetogatherfromthenearbyhousesandjhuggies.ThereisalargeslumintheSingalFaliyaareawhereasmanyas15to20personsliveinasinglejhuggi,literallysleepinginshifts.Districtauthoritieswerenotatallsurprisedthatsuchalargecrowdgatheredatthespotinsuchashorttime.SeveralinformantsinGodhraconfirmedthatthiswasnotimprobable.Firebombs,ironrods,etc.areallavailableinreadysupplyinvariouslocalitiesbecauseofthehistoryandincidenceofcommunaloutbreaksinGodhra.

    ThiswasparticularlysoforSingalFaliyabecauseofthepresenceofautorepairworkers,

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    rickshawpullers,autorickshawdrivers,smalltimewagonbreakersandcriminalelementsreportedlylivingintheslum.Sothecollectionofalargemobatashortnoticeandtheavailabilityofimprovisedpetrolbombsandotherweaponsandimplements,bythemselves,donotsupportthetheoryofanydeeprootedconspiracy,withorwithoutsupportoftheforeignagencies.OneversionisthatsomeoftheSingalFaliyaresidentssuchasteavendorsorrickshawpullers/driverswhowerepresentattheplatformandwerewitnesstotheincidents/altercationsthatallegedlytookplaceonarrivalofthetrain,hadrushedtotheSingalFaliyabastiwiththenews/rumourthataMuslimwomanhadbeenmolested,evenabducted,andthatthisledtoexcitementanduproarandtheenragedmobthatcarriedoutthemurderousattack.

    ThefocussedattackoncoachS6alsosuggeststhatrumourhaditthattheperpetratorsoftheallegedcrimewereinthatcoach.Butallthiswillremainconjecture,untilmoreevidenceiscollected.Italsoappearsthatsincethebulkofthecasualtieswerewomenandchildren,andrelativelyfew(only20)ablebodiedmen,thatallkarsevaksonthetrainwerenottargetedbutonlythoseincoachS6.Otherwise,whywerentothercoachesfilledwithkarsevaks,ofwhichtherewereanother14excludingtheadjoiningcoachS5,alsoattackedwithfirebombsandthelike?

    WeexaminedcoachesS5andS6.WhileS5waslessbadlydamagedwithsomewindowsbroken,coachS6wascompletelyburntoutinsidethecompartment.SomereportshaveitthatpassengerswerecarryingkerosenestovestocookduringthelongjourneyfromFaizabadtoAhmedabad,alongwithotherinflammableitems.Whilethisisnotunusualorimplausible,thismustremainspeculationuntiltheforensicevidenceisin.Itisestimatedthattheremusthavebeenaround150peopleinthecompartment,largelykarsewaks,andoncethefirestarted,theablebodiedkarsevaksmusthavefledfirst.KnowledgeableinformantsinGodhrasurmisedthatthe38womenandchildrenalongwiththe20menmighthavebeenrenderedunconsciousbythesmokeandcarbonmonoxideconfinedinsidethecoach,sincemostofthewindowsandbothdoorsononesidewereclosed,andlaterasphyxiatedbythesmokeorburntbythefirethatsweptthecoach.Butthiscanonlybeconfirmedbyforensicevidence,andaccountsbyotherpassengersfromcoachS6whosurvived.

    Butdespiteincompleteevidenceanddifferingversions,itisclearthatthismonstrouscrimewasnotpreplannedasclaimedbyhighquartersimmediatelyafterthetragedy.Atmost,accordingtoanumberofinformants,somepassengerswithaccesstoamobilephonemayhavecalledcontactsinGodhra/SingalFaliyafromarelativelynearbystationlikeRatlam,DahodorMeghnagar,thusgivingatmostafewhoursnotice.Butaswehavestatedabove,giventheprevailingcircumstancesandcontext,itwasprobablethatalargearmedmobcollectedafterthefracasattheGodhrarailwaystationplatform.Therewassufficienttimeforanarmedmobtocollectaftertheeventsattherailwaystation.Asthetrainwasscheduledtoarriveat2.55AM,anypremeditatedassaultshouldhaveledtothemobgatheringatSingalFaliyaaboutthattime,insteadoffivehourslater.Ontheotherhand,before8AMinthemorning,mostadultsandyoungmaleslivinginSingalFaliyawouldnothavenotgonetoworkandwereeasilyavailableoncall,asitwere,togathernearCabinAwherethetrainhadstopped.

    ThoughbyallaccountstherewassomeprovocationbythekarsewaksstartingwellbeforeGodhra,thiscannotservetoexoneratethisinhumanandhorrendouscrime.Asfortheemergencychainpulling,itisplausiblethatthefirstchainpullingasthetrainwasmovingoutfromthestationwasbythekarsewakstoenablethoseleftbehind,perhapsinvolvedinthecommotionontheplatform,tocatchthetrain.Thesecondinstance,andthattoofromcoachesS5orS6,ismoreperplexing.

    Theoutrageoccasionedbythistragedyandsubsequentpoliceactionhasledmost

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    eyewitnessestodisappear,abscondorfeignignorance.Weinterviewedvendorsfromplatformnumber2atGodhrastation.Theyallclaimedtohavenoticednothingastheywereonanadjacentplatform.Butsincethey,ontheirownadmission,wouldhavebeenawareofthecommotion,ifany,onplatform1,andwouldhavehadanunimpededviewoftheareanearCabinAwherethetrainwasattacked,theyobviouslydecidedtoremainsilent.Thevendorsonplatform1presentonFebruary27thwereabsentandhadbeensosincetheincident.Someoftheeyewitnessesandparticipantsareobviouslyincustody.Othersaremissing.Stillothersaresilent,orclaimtoknownothing.

    Thisnotwithstanding,majorconclusionscanbearrivedat:1]Theattackdoesnotappeartobepreplannedinthesenseinwhichitwasclaimedpubliclybyhighauthoritiesintheimmediateaftermathoftheincidentof27thFeb.Neitheravailableinformationnorthecircumstancesthenprevailingprovidesupporttothetheoryofanydeeprootedconspiracy,withorwithoutinvolvementofforeignagencies.2]Itwasaninstanceofaghastlycommunalriot,inaplacethathasalonghistoryofcommunalriots.3]Thetragedycouldhavebeenavertedoratleast,minimisedifstrongpreventivemeasureshadbeentakeninthewakeofthecommunalincidents/irritantsthatweretakingplaceonthetrainrouteandwhichcouldhavebeenanticipatedoncethekarsewaksstartedleaving/returningbytraininlargenumbersfor/fromAyodhya[ThiswillbeexaminedbelowinSection3].

    Section2.TheUseoftheGodhraIncidentforantiMuslimMobilisation

    Political\Mediareactions

    TherewasmassivemediareactiontotheGodhratragedy.WiththespreadofelectronicmediaandcableTV,thehorrificpicturesofthedevastationincoachS6,thegruesomedeathofinnocentwomenandchildrenreportedlyreturningfromhomagetoLordRamabecauseofaninhuman,unprovokedandpremeditatedassault,wasthestapleofmediacoverage.Whiletherehasbeencriticismofthenationalprintandelectronicmedia[thedominantEnglishandHindidailiesandtelevisionchannels]includingbytheGujaratgovernment,theroleofsectionsoftheGujaratilanguagepresswasinrealityincendiary.TheGujaratidailySandesh,forinstance,reportedonMarch1stthattwoHinduwomenhadbeenabductedfromthetrainbyMuslims,gangraped,mutilatedwiththeirbreastscutoff,thenkilledwiththeirbodiesdumpedinKalolnearGodhra.Italsoreportedrumoursofathirdbodybeingfound.[SeeBox4].Thepoliceinvestigatedthestory,searchedthevillageandfoundthestorybaseless.Butthepublicationofsuchbaselessstoriesinthepressinflamedpublicopinion.Sandeshhasbeenheldbymostcommentatorstobeamajoroffender.

    Suchinflammatorystorieswerenotnew.ThreeyearsearliersuchstorieshadappearedduringtheantiChristianviolenceinthetribaldominatedDangsdistrict,ofGujarat.Therehasbeentherefore,alongstandingtendencyinsectionsoftheGujaratilanguagepresstopublishcommunallyinflammatoryreports.Suchreportsareactionable.Underthelawofthelandsuchreportagethatcausesanimositybetweencommunitiesisacriminaloffence.Despitesuchprovisionsinthelaw,noactionwastaken.WhiletheStategovernmentdidbansomelocalTVchannels,ittooknoactionagainstnewspaperslikeSandesh.Inthisbackdrop,thesensationalistandinflammatoryreportingaftertheGodhraincident,withitsgoryconsequences,wasonlytobeexpected.ThePressCouncilwasforcedtoissueastrongstatementontheroleofthemedia.On3rdApril,JusticeK.JayachandraReddy,Chairman,wassharplycriticalofthemedianoting"withanguishthatalargenumberofnewspapersandnewschannelsinthecountryand,inparticulara

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    largesectionoftheprintandelectronicmediainGujarathas,insteadofalleviatingcommunalunrest,playedanignobleroleinincitingcommunalpassionsleadingtolargescalerioting,arsonandpillageinthestateconcerned."HewarnedtheerringmediaofactionunderSection295AoftheIndianPenalCodeandalliedprovisions.

    ThecentralityaccordedtoGodhrabyinfluentialsectionsofthemediaonlyechoedstatementsatthehighestlevelofGovernment.ChiefMinisterModirepeatedlyreferredtothecommunalviolencethatfollowedasa"reaction"andlikenedittoNewtonsthirdlawofdynamics.ThefactthattheChiefMinisterimmediatelybrandedtheeventasISIandPakistaniinspired,followedbyUnionHomeMinisterAdvani,intheabsenceofanyevidenceorinquiry,furtherinflamedthesituation.EveniftheChiefMinistersintentionwastoshifttheblameawayfromlocalMuslims,assomesupportersclaim,ithadtheoppositeeffect.TheaccusationbrandedthelocalGhanchiMuslimsasPakistaniagents,inotherwords,asagentsofalongstandingenemypower,therebyconformingtothetraditionaldemonisationofIndianMuslimsassympathisersandcohortsofPakistan.ThiswhollyunsubstantiatedvilificationwasalreadywidespreadintheStatebutwastobecomethestapleoflaterpropagandaandthelegitimationoftheruthlessassaultsonMuslimsandtheirproperty.

    Tociteonlyafewofthemanyinstances,StateHealthMinisterAshokBhattspeakingtothemediainGodhraon27thFebruarystatedthat,"Godhrahasanotoriousreputation,"andallegedthat,"WesuspectthatmanyPakistanislivehereillegally."Thustheequationwascomplete:GodhrawasapreplannedPakistaniactcarriedoutbylocalMuslims.TheMinisterofStateforHomeGordhanZadaphia,aseniorVHPactivist,confirmedthelinkagealleging,"ThebogieburningisaterroristactsimilartotheattackontheAmericanCentreinKolkata.Theculpritsinbothcasesarethesame."Throughthemediahedeliveredadirethreat:"Wewillteachalessontothosewhohavedonethis.Noonewillbesparedandwewillmakesurethattheforcesbehindthisactwillneverdaretorepeatit."

    Zadaphiaalsoplayedtoreligioussentimentsbystressingthat"MostofthepeoplewhodiedweremembersoftheVHP[VishvaHinduParishad].ManyofthedeadchildrenwerereturningfromAyodhya."HealsomadehisallegiancesclearbypubliclydifferingwithPrimeMinisterVajpayeeandUnionHomeMinisterAdvaniscalltotheVHPtosuspendtheRamtemplemovement,byasserting,"ThereisnoquestionofwithdrawingoursupporttotheVHP.WhatevertheVHPisdoingisintheinterestsofthenation,intheinterestsofHindus."[SeeBox6]

    AtGodhraonthe27thFebruaryitselfofficialrhetoricconfirmedthedemonologywhichinformedthepostGodhraantiMuslimcarnage.TheburningoftheSabarmatiExpressbogiewaslabeledapremeditatedandheinousenemyact,carriedoutbynotoriousPakistaniagents,againstdevout,nationalistHindusincludingwomenandchildren,returningfromworshippingLordRama.Suchenemieshadtobetaughtalessonsothatthey"willneverdaretorepeatit."

    ThecentralityoftheGodhramassacreasthebasisoftheantiMuslimcarnagethatfollowedwastoberepeatedagainandagain.ItwasalsoreiteratedintheStategovernmentframedtermsofreferenceoftheJusticeK.G.ShahenquiryintotheGujaratconflagration,inwhichtheGodhraincidentisthecentralissue,andallothereventsareseenasflowingfromthat.[SeeBox8].

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    PostGodhraPoliticalDecisions

    TheModigovernmentdecidedtohastenthepostmortemsofthemurderedpassengers,andhavetheirbodiesdispatchedonthe27thFebruarynightitselfat10.30PMtotheCivilHospital,Sola,Ahmedabad.Inanycase,atthebestoftimes,thepresenceofthebadlycharredbodiesandbodypartswouldhavebeenprovocative.InAhmedabad,withitsprevioushistoryofcommunalviolenceandtension,suchanactfollowedbythepublicdisplayoftheremainspriortocremation,couldatbestbedescribedasrecklessandfoolhardy.ThetimeofarrivalofthecorpsesbytrainwasbroadcastontheradioensuringthatalargeandinflamedcrowdwouldgatheratAhmedabadstation.Notsurprisinglysuchacrowdgatheredandtherewasshoutingofdangerouslyprovocativecommunalsloganslike"khoonkabadlakhoon".Thedisplayoftheremains,thepublicgriefandangeratthefunerals,theorganisationofRamDhunsindifferentpartsofAhmedabad,allservedtofanthecommunalflamesthatsearedthecityandtheState,andsimmertilltoday.[WewilldealwiththisdecisioninmoredetailinSection3below].

    Earlierintheday,theVHPannouncedabandhonthenextday,28thFebruary,inprotestovertheGodhratragedy.Provocativeleaflets,someunsigned,castigatingtheMuslimsandlinkingtheattacktoPakistanwerewidelydistributed.Laterthesameday,theStateBJPunitcameoutinsupportofthebandh.SincetheBJPwas,andis,therulingpartythismadethebandhavirtuallyStatesponsoredaffair.InthelightoftheSupremeCourtdecisionbanningbandhs,thisdecisionwasillegal.InthelightoftheprevioushistoryofAhmedabadandtheState,itwasverlikelytoleadtocommunalviolence.Laterintheevening,therewasameetingofseniorofficerswiththepoliticalleadershipwhere,accordingtoauthoritativesources,officersweretoldthattheyshoulddonothing"whichwouldhurtHindusentiments."Inthelightofsubsequentdevelopmentsthiswasclearlyasignalaskingtheofficersnottodoanythingtocurbthebandhorthosewhosoughttoenforceit.[SeeSection3below].

    ThecrucialroleoftheVHPcalledandBJPbackedbandhcannotbeunderestimated.ForallitstragicconsequencesanditsdiabolicalnaturetheattackontheSabarmatiExpresswasanisolatedandlocalisedevent.ASanghParivarbandh,ontheotherhand,markedapremeditatedtransitionfromalocalriottoanorganisedandpreplannedStatewideprotestwhichwasboundtoresultinabloodbath,especiallyinthelightofthepoliticalsignalstoofficialdomtointerveneminimally.Asitturnedout,Feb.28thwaswhenthegreatestdamagetolifeandpropertytookplaceinAhmedabad.AttacksofthiskindalsotookplaceonalesserscaleinVadodaraonthatday.Furthermore,oncetheattackswereallowedtohappeninAhmedabad,thecapitalcity,itprovidedthenecessarysignalandsanctionforthesystematicanddeliberateextensionoftargetedcommunalviolenceelsewhereinthestateincludingintheruralareas.ThisalsoconformstoahistoricalpatternwherecommunalviolenceinthecapitalcityofGujaratbecomesthepreludetoitsextensionelsewhere.Allthisonlyreinforcesthedecisiveroleplayedbythebandhinmarkingthetransitionfromalocalincidenttoafullbloodedpogrom.

    ThisreadingofthesituationisborneoutbythemindsetandintentionsofthebandhorganisersrevealedinataperecordedinterviewwithProf.KeshavramKashiramShastri,96yearoldChairmanoftheGujaratunitoftheVHP,whojustifiedthecommunalviolencearguing,"Karvanjpade,karvanjpade[ithadtobedone,ithadtobedone].Wedontlikeit,butwewereterriblyangry.Lustandangerareblind."Hefurthersaidtherioterswere"kelvayelaHinduchokra"[wellbredHinduboys].HealsolinkedalltheeventstoGodhra"OurboyswerechargedbecauseinGodhrawomenandchildrenwereburntalive.Thecrowdwasspontaneous.AllofthemwerenotVHPpeople."Hewentontosay,"Invillagesallthesepeoplewhowereangryarenotourpeople.TheyareangrybecauseHindutvawasattacked.Thisisanoutburst,atremendousoutburstthatwillbe

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    difficulttorollback."

    Askedhowheasascholarandlitterateurcouldcondoneinnocentsbeingburntalive,hereplied,"Theyoungstershavedoneeventhosethingswhichwedontlike.Wedontsupportit.Butwecantcondemnitbecausetheyareourboys.Ifmydaughterdoessomething,willIcondemnit?"Repeatedlydefendingthe"boys"forhavinggonetoo"far,"Prof.Shastriinsisted,"Weneededtodosomething.Itssaidthatsnakesthatarenotpoisonousshouldkeeptheenemyawaybyhissingonceinawhile."Healsoaffirmedhisorganisationssupportclarifyingthat,"TheVHPhasformedapanelof50lawyerstohelpreleasethearrestedpeopleaccusedofriotingandlooting.NoneofthelawyerswillchargeanyfeesbecausetheybelieveintheRSSideology."[SeeBox9]

    ButtheattacksonMuslimpropertiesandpersonswhichstartedinAhmedabadandsomeotherurbanandsemiurbanareasofGujaraton28thFebruary,werebasedondetailedinformationincludingthepossessionoflists.AstheNHRCInterimReportpointsouttherewere"widespreadreportsandallegationsofgroupsofwellorganizedpersons,armedwithmobiletelephonesandaddresses,singlingoutcertainhomesandpropertiesfordeathanddestructionincertaindistricts"GujaratVHPChairmanProf.ShastriclaimsthattheselistswerepreparedonlyonFebruary28thmorning.Evenifthiswastrue,itbegsanotherquestion.Whatwasthedatabaseonwhichbasisthislistwasprepared,andwhopreparedthebasicdocument[s]andwhen?ThatsurelycouldnothavebeenpreparedfortensofthousandsofMuslimpropertiesandresidencesjustinonemorning.

    Earlierattemptsatthepreparationofsuchlistsareamatterofpublicrecordorwidelyreported.OnFebruary1st/2nd1999,thethenDirectorofPolice[Intelligence]P.B.UpadhyayasentaconfidentialcircularorderingallPoliceCommissionersanddistrictpoliceofficerstoprovidedetailsincludingaddressesofexistingMuslimorganisations,theirleaders,aswellasthenamesandaddressesofMuslimsparticipatingincertainreligiousactivitiesandrelatedmatters.[SeeAppendix1]Thiscircular,andasimilaronepertainingtoChristians,waschallengedintheGujaratHighCourt,andwithdrawnamonthlater.Thoughthiscircularwaswithdrawn,somedetailsaboutMusliminstitutionsandindividualsalongwiththeiraddresses,musthavebeencollectedintheinterveningonemonthperiod.

    Victimsandotherinformantsclaimedthatmonthsearlier,personsclaimingtorepresentamarketsurveyfirmvisitedtheirestablishmentstocollectdataaboutownership,production,sales,numberofemployees,etc.TheynowbelievethatthismayhavebeenapriorattemptatethnicmappingtoidentifyMuslimbusinessesandestablishments.TheGujaratilanguagepressallegedlyplayeditspart.OnthebasisoftheirexperiencesofearlierriotsanumberofMuslimentrepreneursgavenonMuslim,mainlyHindu,namestotheirestablishments,sothatthesewerenotreadilyidentifiedasMuslim.Itwasclaimedthatsomeeightmonthsearlier,SandeshhadpublishedanarticleinwhichitlistedmanysuchestablishmentspointingoutthatdespitetheirnamesthesewereMuslimowned.Theriotershowever,alsoattackedestablishmentsthathadMuslimsleepingpartners,afactnotwidelyknown.Itwouldappeartherefore,thatthemobleadershadaccesstogovernmentrecordsfromthesalestax/excisedepartmentsandthelike,notnormallyavailabletotheaveragecitizen.

    Anotherfactthatappearstoindicatepriorplanningforacommunalattackaccordingtoinformantsisthecollectionofliquefiedpetroleumgas[LPG]gascylinders.ItisclaimedthatforsometwoweeksbeforeFebruary.28th,LPGcylinderswereinshortsupplyinAhmedabad,andmiddleclassconsumershadtobookthemandstayinqueue.Butthe

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    rioterswhotookoverAhmedabadfromFebruary28thwerearmedwiththousandsofLPGgascylinders,obviouslycollectedinadvance,whichtheyusedtoblowupMuslimcommercialestablishmentsandresidencesinthedaysthatfollowed.TheseLPGcylindersarebulkyandheavymetalcylindersthatcanonlybetransportedbymediumorheavyvehicles.Thefactthatsuchvehicles[includingtemposandtrucks],wereavailablealongwiththemuchsoughtafterLPGcylindersappearstoindicatepriorplanningofsomeweeks,nottospeakofdays.

    Takentogether,alltheavailableevidenceincludingmediareports,thereportsofinformants,eyewitnessesandothers,appearstoindicateacarefullyplannedattackovertimeonMuslimpropertiesandpersonsthroughouttheState,beginningwithAhmedabad,withStateconnivance.Theattack,itwouldappear,wasplannedwellbeforeFebruary27th.TheghastlyeventsofGodhraappeartohavemerelyprovidedthetriggerforanantiMuslimpogrompreparedwellinadvance.Inthatsense,thetragedyinGodhraismerelyacoincidence.ThepremeditatedandfocussedattackonGujaratiMuslimswasalreadyplanned,awaitingatriggerorpretext.TheunexpectedcarnageinGodhraonFebruary27thunfortunately,providedthatconvenienttrigger.

    Section3.StateComplicity?

    PenetrationoftheGujaratState

    TheBJP,RSS,VHP,BajrangDalandassociatedorganisationshadallegedlypenetratedStateinstitutionsandorganisationsduringtheBJPruleinGujarat.Forexample,intheHomeGuards,itisclaimedthattherewaswidespreadrecruitmentofSanghParivaractivistsandsympathisers,inthethousands.Promotions,postingsandtransfersinallgovernmentinstitutionsorthoseinfluencedbyit,favouredSanghactivistsandsympathisers,andconverselypunishedthoseofficersorrankswhowereneutralandsecular.Inthepolice,forexample,postingsandtransfersuptotherankofDeputySuperintendentofPolicearedecideduponbytheDirectorGeneralofPolice[DGP].ButinGujarat,thesepostings\transfersaredecideduponbythelocalSanghleadership,includingMLAs,whocommunicatetheirrecommendationsthatarethenimplementedbythebureaucracyontheinstructionsoftheconcernedMinister.TheDGPhashardlyanyrole.AtthehigherlevelofpostsofSuperintendentofPoliceandabove,powersareconcentratedattheMinisteriallevel.

    Inthepolice,asprobablyinotherservices,thereisapparentlyaninformalthreefoldclassificationbytheSanghParivarofgovernmentservants.Thefirstcategoryaresympathisersormembers,thesecondareofthoseconsideredneutralorharmless,whilethethirdareofthoseconsideredhostile.Thisclassificationgovernsrewardsorpunishmentsintheserviceandallareawareofthat.ThemasstransfersofpoliceofficersinMarch2002,includingofofficerswhothroughtheirpromptanddecisiveactionhadstoppedandcurbedcommunalviolence,isthemostrecentexampleofpunishmentfordoingonesConstitutionalduty.[SeeBox10,andbelow].Whenaskedaboutthisbyacriticalmedia,ChiefMinisterModieuphemisticallyreferredtothesetransfersas"promotions."

    Conversely,officerswhoapparentlyservetherulingpartysinterestsarerewarded,andactaccordingly.AssistantCommissionerofPoliceP.N.BarotwasentrustedonMarch8thwithinvestigatingtwoofAhmedabadsbloodiestmassacres,whichfelloutsidehisearlierzoneofresponsibility.HedeclaredthatthegenesisoftheGulbargSocietymassacrewhere42peopleincludingformerCongressMPEhsanJafriwerekilledwasduetoJafrifiring"withaweaponandinjured13persons,whichprovokedthemob."Similarly,the

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    massacreinNarodaPatiawasbecause"First,aHinduboy,RanjitsinhChouhan,wasstabbedtodeathbyMuslims.ThentheykilledthreeothersbycrushingthemunderaMatadorvan.ThisinfuriatedtheHindus,leadingtothemassacre."BarotwasalsocriticalofthefactthatelevenpeoplehadbeennamedintheFIRintheGulbargSocietycase,andfiveothersintheNarodaPatiacarnage,themostprominentamongtheaccusedbeingBajrangDalactivistBabuBajrangi,whohasalongcriminalrecord."Howcouldthepolicehaveidentified56peopleinamobofathousand?"hecomplained,echoingVHPGeneralSecretaryJaydeepPatelwhoaccusedthepoliceof"falsely"implicatinghismen.ThusBarotnotonlyprejudgesissuesbutalsocriticiseshisowncolleagues,clearlyindicatingthelikelyresultofhisinvestigations.

    TheRSSandVHPalsocontrolkeyfunctionariesintheState.ChiefMinisterModiisanRSSpracharak.MinisterofStateforHomeZadaphiaisaVHPactivist.TheGovernorofGujarat,whohasnotseenfittosendareportonwhatishappeningintheStatetotheCentre,S.S.BhandariisalsoanRSSleader.Suchexamplescanbemultiplied,butthesewillsufficetoindicatethepenetrationofthestateapparatusandgovernmentmachinerybytheSanghParivar.Allgovernmentsarepolitical,butthepenetrationbytheRSS,ashadowyandpubliclyunaccountableorganisation,isaspecificphenomenonthatrequirescarefulandpainstakinginvestigation,whichishowever,outsidethescopeofthisreport.

    Asaconsequence,theGujaratgovernmentfunctionednotasaConstitutionallybound,nonpartisanandindependentbody,butonecontrolledby,andanswerabletotheSanghParivar.TheroleandfunctioningoftheGujaratgovernment,therefore,isdirectlydeterminedbyitspenetrationbytheSanghParivarincludingitsmostextremistelementstheVHPandBajrangDal.ThisfactunderliestheconductoftheGujaratgovernmentbefore,duringandafter,thepeakperiodofcommunalviolenceintheStateduringFebruaryMarch2002.

    ErosionoftheBureaucracyandtheGovernmentalSystem

    Thepoliticisationofthegovernmentalmachineryespeciallythebureaucracyledinevitablytotheerosionofthefunctionsandpowersofthegovernmentmachinery.Asinthecaseofpolicedeployment,decisionmakingpowerswereillegitimatelytransferredfrompoliceofficialstotheSanghParivartherebyerodingthepowers,neutralityandaccountabilityofthegovernmentmachinery.Averysubstantialnumberofofficersandstaffinsteadofbeingresponsibletotheirdirectsuperiorsandgovernedbyservicerules,traditionsandprecedents,becamepoliticisedandpartisan,answerabletotheSanghParivar.Thisprocessalsoundercutsthesystemofchecksandbalancescrucialtothefunctioningofthegovernmentalmachinery.Checksonofficersliketheirsuperiors,supervisorydepartments,servicecodes,publicscrutinyincludingthatbytheelectedAssemblyallgetgetdisplacedbytheunaccountableandunconstitutionalcontrolbytheSanghParivar.

    Thiserosionofthegovernmentalmachineryadverselyaffecteditsefficiency.Functionariesinsteadofconcentratingontheirofficialfunctionswereundulyconcernedoftheimpactoftheiractions,orinaction,ontheSanghleadership.Sincecrucialpersonnelmatterslikepromotions,postings,transfersandawardsdependednotsomuchonmeritoriousperformancebutpartisanappreciation,thequalitativefunctioningofthegovernmentapparatuswasnegativelyaffected.Thisfactorhadamajorimpactonthefunctioningofthegovernmentmachineryduringthiscrisis,anditsinadequaciesandfailures.

    StateGovernmentComplicity?

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    FailureinGodhra

    TheNHRChaspointedoutthe"seriousfailureofintelligenceandactionbytheStateGovernment[that]markedtheeventsleadingtotheGodhratragedyandthesubsequentdeathsanddestructionthatoccurred."InSection1above,wehaveseenhowreportsofcommunallymotivatedmisbehaviourintheSabarmatiExpresshadbeenreportedinthemediaasearlyasFebruary25the.g.intheJanMorcha[Faizabad].GivenGujaratscommunalhistoryand,inparticular,thevolatilityofGodhra,thisaloneshouldhaveledtheadministrationtotakeprecautionarymeasuresincludingthedeploymentofsufficientpoliceforcesonthetrain,andattherailwaystationsincludingGodhra.Inanyevent,thegovernmentshouldhaveknownaboutthereturningkarsewaksfromAyodhya,sincetheBJPcurrentlyrulesinboththeGujaratandUPgovernments.InviewofthesensitivityoftheAyodhyaissue,thereshouldhavebeenmuchmorepolicebandobast,whichifithadbeeninplacewouldhaveensuredthatthetragedydidnotoccur.

    Accordingtoourreconstructionofevents,thetroublestartedatthestationitselfwherestonethrowingtookplace.Byallaccountstherewasaclash.ThisshouldhavealertedthepoliceforcesincludingtheGRF,whoknowingthecharacterofGodhraandthevolatilityofSignalFaliya,shouldhavetakenpreventiveactionimmediately.Further,CabinAwherethetrainstoppedforthesecondandfinaltime,islessthanakilometreawayandthewholeareaisclearlyvisible.Acrowdgatheringtherecouldeasilybeobservedandcouldonlyhavemeanttrouble.Thepolicecould,andshould,havebeenthereinamatterofminutes.

    Incasetheofficialversion,thatthetragedywaspremeditatedandISIinspiredisgivencredence,thentheintelligencelapseismuchmoreserious.Howcouldsuchapremeditatedplothaveescapedthenoticeoftheintelligenceagencies?Ifthefirebombs,petrolandweaponswerecollectedandstoredovertimeandotherpreparationsmadeoveraperiod,whywasthisnotdetected,particularlywhentensionswereknowntobehighovertheVHPprogrammeinAyodhya?

    Underanyconstructionoftheevents,therehavebeenveryseriouslapsesbytheadministrationandpolice.Thereisoneaspectoftheformalproceduresofintelligencegatheringthatgoessomewaytoexplaintheintelligencelapses.BothStateandCentralintelligenceagencieshaveasamatterofroutinemaintainedregularsurveillanceofcertainorganizationsdeemedtorequiresuchwatchinginthenameofinternalsecurity.Thesehaveincludedcertainfundamentalistreligiousorganizations.Onthewatchlistarealsocertainextremistcultsorpoliticalgroupingsdeemedtobelongtothefarright(e.g.AnandMargis)orfarleft(e.g.certainNaxalitegroups).However,therisetopoweroftheSangh(throughtheBJP)attheCentreandinGujarathasmeantthatasfarascentralintelligenceagenciesandthoseofGujaratstateareconcerned,regularsurveillanceoftheactivitiesoftheRSS,VHP,BajrangDalthoughprevalentinthepastwouldnowappeartohavebeendropped.Thiscouldbeonemajorreasonwhynotabswerekept,astheyshouldhavebeen,ontheactivitiesofthekarsevaksontheSabarmatiExpress.

    ThePostGodhraevents&theFebruary28thVHPBandh

    ThegovernmentsdecisiontoswiftlytransferthebodiesoftheGodhravictimstoAhmedabadandelsewhereandtoallowpublicfuneralswasincendiary.Theghastlyconditionofthecharredbodiesandremainswasboundtocausepublicgrief,revulsionandanger.InacommunallypolarisedStatelikeGujarat,theoutbreakofcommunal

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    mobilisationandviolenceasaresultofthisshouldhavebeeneasilyanticipated.LargecrowdswereallowedtocollecttoreceivethebodiesatAhmedabadrailwaystationandthentotaketheminapublicprocession.EvenonthejourneyfromGodhratoAhmedabadwhichpassedthroughVadodara,therewerepressreportsofatleasttwostabbingsattheVadodararailwaystationitself.

    ThisactwascompoundedbythegovernmentsdecisiontoallowtheFebruary28thBandh.AtatimewhencommunalpassionswerearousedbytheGodhraincidentsandthefuneralsofthevictims,abandhwascertainlygoingtoprovokeviolence.NotonlydidthegovernmentnotdissuadetheVHPfromcallingthebandh,itinsteadwentaheadandjoinedit.Thepoliticalleadershipsadvicetotheofficersnottodoanythingduringthebandhthatwouldhurt"Hindusentiments"wasatransparentattempttoensurethatthebandhsupportersweresubjectedtominimumadministrativeandpolicerestraint.

    SinceitwasclearthatanimmediatepostGodhrabandhcouldonlyleadtocommunalviolence,theChiefMinistershouldhaveforcedtheVHPtowithdrawthebandh,failingwhichheshouldhavesuppresseditbydeployingtheentiremightoftheStateandrequisitioningextraforcesfromoutside.Heclearlyfailedtodoso,andinsteaddidtheveryopposite.BydoingthistheVHPandGujaratgovernment,ineffect,preparedthegroundsfortheriots.

    PolicePartisanship

    TheNHRCnotesthatthecommunalmarauderswerewidelyreportedtohavebeen"singlingoutcertainhomesandpropertiesfordeathanddestructionincertaindistrictssometimeswithinviewofpolicestationsandpersonnel"Reportedlyinmanycases,includingthemassacresinGulbargsocietyinwhichformerCongressMPEhsanJafriwasbrutallyslain,andinNarodaPatiawheremorethan80peopledied[unofficialfiguresaremuchhigher],thepolicehavebeenaccusedofhavingbeenpartisanandantiMuslim.NosatisfactoryexplanationhasbeengivenfortheinordinatepolicedelayininterveninginGulbargsociety,despiteJafrisincessantrequestsforhelp.SomeobserverssaythatJafrisspiritedcriticismofChiefMinisterModiduringthelatterscampaignintheRajkotAssemblybyelection,wasafactorinthepolicespersistentlackofresponse.[SeeBox2].InNarodaPatia,accordingtosurvivors,theStateReservePolice[SRP]notonlyrefusedthefleeingMuslimsshelter,butteargassedthem,forcingthemtowardsthewaitingmobs.Incaseaftercase,Muslimvictimsclaimedthepoliceusedforceagainstthem,includingfiring,therebyprovidingcoverandsupporttotherampagingmobs.Anumberofvictimstoldusthatbutforthepolicepartisanship,thetollintheGujaratcarnagewouldhavebeenmuchlower.

    Thispartisanshipwasmuchgreateratthelowerlevels,wherethereappearstohavebeensubstantialcommunalizationofthepoliceforce.Therearewidespreadreportsofthelowerechelonsofthepolicebeingespeciallypartisanandhostile.Buteffortstogettheseniorofficialstoremedythisparlousstateofaffairsseemtohavefailed.Thissituationcontinuestothisday.OnApril3rd,TheAsianAgecrimereporterinAhmedabadMs.SonalKellogg,alongwiththereporterofaSuratbaseddaily,wasbeatenupbythepoliceintheMariamBibiNiChawliareainGomtipur.WhenshecomplainedtotheDeputyCommissionerofPolice[ZoneV]R.J.Savani,whomsheknewquitewell,allhesaidwasthat"itmighthavebeenamistake."WhensheprotestedtothePoliceCommissionerP.C.Pandeathisoffice,hewasdismissive"DontbothermeIdonthavetimefileacomplaintifyouwant."Asthejournalistsumsup,"Ifpolicemencanbesobrutaltowardsjournalistsonduty,theirbehaviourwithordinarycitizenscouldbesomuchmoreatrocious.ItisapitythatthepoliceinGujaratiseitheramutespectatororitharassesand

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    torturesinnocentpeople."

    Seniorpoliceofficialshaveindicatedthattheirhandsweretied,implyingthatthiswasdonebytoppoliticians.ButthisdoesnotabsolvethetoppolicebrassinGujaratforfailingtodotheirduties.Themaintenanceoflawandorderisthedirectresponsibilityofthepoliceforce.Regardlessofwhatpoliticalpressuresmayormaynotbeputuponthem,thereexistsastructureofrulesandpowersthatempowersthepolicetoignoresuchpoliticalpressures,andtoensurethatlawandorderismaintained.Thiscanbedonethroughavarietyofmeasuresincludingidentificationoflikelycommunalhotspots,preventivearrestsanddetentionsonamassscaleincurfewandotherareas,backuppreparations,etc.Whatismore,despiteadegreeofcommunalizationofthepoliceatlowerlevels,aslongasthetophierarchyofthepolicemakeitclearthatthepolicemustandwilldoitsdutyofensuringpeace,suchcommunalprejudicesareinvariablykeptfirmlyincheckandeasilysubordinatedtotheacceptanceoftheexistingchainofcommandandoperation.Itiswhenthetopofficialsdonotassertthemselvesthatwrongsignalsgodowntheline.InthecaseofAhmedabadonFeb.27ththerewerevirtuallynopreventivearrestsbypolicestationsincommunallysensitiveareas.[SeeBox11].

    ThatiswhyinstancesofpolicepartisanshipandineptitudewerenotallpervasiveandtherearemanycreditableexamplesofIASandIPSofficersfulfillingtheirresponsibilitiescourageouslyandeffectivelyinGujaratduringthisperiod.TheNHRCcitestheGujaratgovernmentsReporttoitnoting"thatmanyinstanceswererecordedintheReportofpromptandcourageousactionbyDistrictCollectors,CommissionersandSuperintendentsofPoliceandotherofficerstocontroltheviolence"ButtheNHRCalsopointsoutthat"theReportitselfrevealsthatwhilesomecommunallypronedistrictssucceededincontrollingtheviolence,otherdistrictssometimeslesspronetosuchviolencesuccumbedtoit."Thuswheredecisiveandcapableofficersintervened,thecommunalholocaustcouldbeaverted.ThefactitwasnotinthecapitalAhmedabad,wasnotduetolackofforcebutpoliticallymotivatedineptitude.ItshouldbenotedthatthePoliceCommissionerinAhmedabadcommandedatotalof10,000menincluding3,000armedmen,alongwith16companiesofSRP.Yetmobsofupto5,000andmoremenwereallowedtorunamuck,loot,rape,beat,murderwhilethepolicestoodby,whenitdidnotactuallyabetthemobs.Asoneseniorpoliceofficertoldus,theproblemwas"notlackofforce,butlackofwill."

    Thislackofpoliticalwillhasalsoaffectedinvestigation.Victimsclaimthatforthemostpart,thepolicearenotregisteringFIRs.Whentheydotheyavoidwritingspecificnamesofallegedwrongdoerstherebydefeatingthepurposeattheveryoutset.Further,theycitelesseroffenses,forexample,writingthechargeofriotinginsteadofmurder.AstheinstanceofACPBarotcitedaboveshows,theinvestigatingofficersareoftenbiasedtobeginwith.TheNHRChasclearlynotedthisandrelatedfactors:"numerousallegationshavebeenmadebothinthemediaandtotheteamoftheCommissionthatFIRswerebeingdistortedorpoorlyrecorded,andthatseniorpoliticalpersonalitieswereseekingtoinfluencetheworkingofpolicestationsbytheirpresencewithinthem,theCommissionisconstrainedtoobservethatthereisawidespreadlackoffaithintheintegrityoftheinvestigatingprocessandtheabilityofthoseconductinginvestigations."

    RoleoftheSanghParivar

    TheprimaryresponsibilityforthecommunalconflagrationrestswiththeSanghParivar.Itprovidedtheideological,politicalandadministrativeleadershipandbackboneforthetragiceventsinGujarat.InGodhra,butfortheprovocationbytheVHPkarsewaks,thetragiceventsthattriggeredofftheStatewideholocaustwouldnothaveoccurred,though

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    thatdoesnotjustifythemobsmurderousresponse.TheSanghParivarsoughttocapitalisepubliclyinregardtothefuneralsoftheGodhradeadinwaysthatfurtherinflamedcommunalpassions.TheVHPandotherHindutvagroupscirculatedinflammatorypamphletstherebyhelpingtocreatethecommunalpolarisationnecessaryfortheensuingmobilisationandmayhem.[SeeBox5andAppendix2].Thesepamphletsandotherpropagandamethodswereunlawfulandactionable.Buttodate,sincecadresandleadersoftheVHPandBajrangDalarealsoBJPleadersandlegislators,noactionhasbeentakendespiteextensivemediacoverageandcriticism.Nootherorganisationindulginginsuchdisruptiveandillegalideologicalpropagandawouldhavebeengivensuchlatitude,muchlesssupport.

    SanghParivarleaderswererepeatedlyidentifiedbyvictimsandotherinformantsasinstigatingandleadingthemaraudingmobs.ThisiswhyinthefewinstanceswhereindividualnameshavebeenrecordedintheFIRs,theseincludeSanghParivaractivists.ThemediahasreportedthatforcrucialhoursonFebruary28thfromaroundNoonto4.30PM,twoMinisters,HealthMinisterAshokBhattandUrbanDevelopmentMinisterI.K.JadejawerepresentintheAhmedabadCityandGandhinagarStatePoliceControlRooms,respectively.MinisterBhattwasreportedlypresentwhenformerMPJafricalledforhelp.Mostimportantly,thoughthesituationwasclearlyoutofcontrol,theStategovernmentdelayedincallingintheArmy.EvenaftertheArmywascalledinonFebruary28thnight,itsdeploymentwasdelayedtillthenextafternoon.Eventhen,itisreported,itreceivedinsufficientpolicesupportandintelligence.ThefactthatasympatheticCentralgovernmentdeemeditfittosendDefenceMinisterGeorgeFernandestooverseethearmydeployment,isameasureoftheirlackoffaithintheStatesleadershiptoadequatelyutilisetheArmy.

    ThebiasoftheSanghParivarishighlightedbythefactthatitwantedtocompensatethevictimsoftheGodhraviolencewithRs.2lakhs,incontrasttotheRs.1lakhofferedtovictimsinthepostGodhraviolence.ThiswasreversedonlyafterrepresentativesofthefamiliesbereavedbytheviolenceinGodhraagreedtoequalityofcompensationatRs.1lakh.This,ithasbeenreported,wasmadepossiblebecauseofprivateassurancesofseparatefinancialhelpbytheVHPtothesaidfamilies.TheNHRCcommentingontheinitiallyproposeddiscriminatorycompensation,stronglynotedthat"theissueraisedimpingedseriouslyontheprovisionsoftheConstitutioncontainedinArticles14and15,dealingrespectivelywithequalitybeforethelawandequalprotectionofthelawswithintheterritoryofIndia,andtheprohibitionofdiscriminationongroundsofreligion,race,caste,sexorplaceofbirth."TheimpositionofthePreventionofTerrorismOrdinance[POTO]onlyagainsttheaccusedintheGodhraincidentalsosmackedofbias.Bothdecisionswereonlyreversedafterconsiderablepublicoutcry,andCentralGovernmentintervention.

    Biasesarealsoindicatedbythefact,whichtheNHRChasnoted,thatpriortoitsvisitnoseniorpoliticalleadersnorhighlevelofficershadvisitedmanyMuslimrefugeecamps.WorkhasstartedinsomecampslikeShaheAlamonlywhenitbecameknownthatthePrimeMinisterwouldbevisitingit.Theprocedureforestimatingandprovidingcompensationalsostartedaroundthattime.WhenitbecameknownthatthePrimeMinisterwouldnotbevisitingsomecamps,workthere,accordingtomediareports,wasquicklyabandoned.NotwithstandingthePrimeMinistersinstructionsandsustainedOppositiondemands,norehabilitationworkhasstartedthoughmorethanamonthhaslapsedsincetensofthousandsofMuslimsentereddozensofrefugeecamps.Giventhescaleofthedevastationandthelargenumbersofpeopleinvolved,rehabilitationwork,tobeeffective,shouldhavecommencedmuchearlier.

    ThemostimportantroleoftheSanghParivarhasbeeninsuborningtheadministrationto

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    carryoutitsideologicalandpoliticalagenda.ThecontroloftheGujaratgovernmentwascrucialfortheHindutvaforces.Withoutittheycouldnothaveplanned,instigated,mobilised,andimplementedthecommunalpogrom,andthenprotecteditsactivistswhoparticipatedintheseactivitiesfromlegalandsocietalretribution.ItisnoteworthythatatnostageoftheearlycommunalviolencedidChiefMinisterModimakesustainedpublicappealstoHindugroupstoeschewviolenceandliveinamitywiththeirMuslimneighbours.

    TheroleoftheBJPleadershipintherulingNDAcoalitionintheUniongovernmenthasbeencrucial.Despiteunprecedentedviolence,lossoflifeandpropertyandcolossaldamagetotheStateseconomy,theBJPcentralleadershiphasgoneoutofitswaytodefendtheModigovernment.ThoughHomeMinisterAdvanisGandhinagarconstituencyincludessomeoftheworstaffectedareas,hepaidabriefvisitsomedaysaftertheviolenceerupted.ThePrimeMinistersownvisitwasmorethanamonthaftertheviolencestarted,andthattojustforaday.Inatragedyofsuchdimensionsmorevisibleconcernisnormallydisplayedandexpected.Itisnoteworthy,thatinStatesmarkedbymuchlessviolenceanddisturbance,likeinManipurlastyearaftertheextensionoftheNagaceasefiretotheManipurhilldistricts,theCentreimposedPresidentsRuleunderArticle356.ThissustainedandunrelentingsupporthasencouragedandenabledtheModigovernmenttopersistwithitscommunalandpartisanpolicies.Additionally,boththesegovernmentshavefailedtofulfillConstitutionalrequirements.

    TwoGujaratHighCourtjudges,oneaservingjudgeJusticeM.H.KadriandanotheraretiredjudgeandformerChairman,MRTPCommission,JusticeA.N.Divecha,hadtoleavetheirownhomeson28thFebruary,ontheadviceoftheChiefJusticeoftheHighCourt,becauseadequatepoliceprotectionwasnotavailable.JusticeA.P.Ravani,formerChiefJustice,RajasthanHighCourt,inhisdepositiontotheNHRCof21stMarch2002,hasstatedthatheadvisedJusticeKadrithatforhim"toshiftfromhisofficialresidenceforthereasonthatheisnotgivenfullprotectionwouldamountto[an]insulttotheindependenceofthejudiciaryandalsoaninsulttothesecularphilosophyoftheConstitution."[SeeBox7,andAppendix3].TheNHRCinitscommentonthiseventnotedthatthe"pervasivesenseofinsecurityprevailingintheStateextendedtoallsegmentsofsociety,includingtotwoJudgesoftheHighCourtofGujarat,onesittingandtheotherretiredwhowerecompelledtoleavetheirhomesbecauseofthevitiatedatmosphere.Therecouldbenoclearerevidenceofthefailuretocontrolthesituation."

    FromalltheseinstancesitwouldappearthattherehasbeenaConstitutionalbreakdownoflawandorderinGujaratattractingArticle355,andobligatingtheuseofArticle356.ThisisindicatedbytheNHRCwhenitdeclaredthattheStatesresponsibilityshouldbegaugedby"thefailuretoprotectthelife,liberty,equalityanddignityofthepeopleofGujarat."

    Conclusions

    1]TheeventsinGujaratdonotconstituteacommunalriot.BarringthetragicattackatGodhraonFebruary27thwhichwasacommunalriot,thebulkoftheviolencethatfollowedwasstatebackedandonesidedviolenceagainstMuslimstantamounttoadeliberatepogrom.

    2]Forthefirsttimesince1969,thecommunalviolenceinGujarathasassumeda

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    comprehensiveStatewidedimension.Butunlike1969,severalnewareashithertounaffectedbycommunaltension(bothincitiesandinthestateasawhole),includinglargeswathesoftheruralareas,havebeenaffectedbycommunaltensionmarkedbyattacksbythelargelytribalpeople,oftenfromneighbouringvillages,ontheMuslimminority.

    3]Thecasualtieshavebeenveryhigh.Whiletheofficialestimateofdeathsisbelow800,unofficialestimatesstartat2,000andgoevenhigher.Amajorreasonforthisunderestimationisthatthedeathsinruralareashavenotallbeenreportedasentiresettlementshavebeenwipedout,withnoonelefttoreportthelossestothepolice,which,asshownabove,hasgenerallybeenreluctanttofileFIRsevenintheurbanandsemiurbanareas.InviewoftheAdministrationsattempttominimizetheviolenceclaimingthatitwasundercontrolwithin72hours,itwouldbeinterestedinunderstatingtheactualextentofcasualties.

    4]CertaincrucialaspectsofthecarryingoutofthepogromrequiredsystematicplanningwellinadvanceoftheGodhraincident.Theliststherioterspossessedandusedmusthavebeencompiledovertime.ThetargetingofMuslimhomes,institutions,establishmentsandshrineswasverypreciseandaccurate.EvenwhentherewasonlyoneMuslimshoporhomeinacongestedHindudominatedarea,itwasattacked,ransackedandburnt.BusinessesthathadHinduornonMuslimnames,wereidentifiedandtargetedalongwithothersinwhichMuslimswereminorityorsleepingpartners.Themobswerehuge,attimesseveralthousandstrong.Theywerebroughtinbusesandtrucks.VehicleswerealsousedtoferrythousandsofLPGgascylinders,whichinturnwerewidelyusedasexplosivestodestroyproperty.TheremusthavebeenofficialconnivancetoreleasesuchlargequantitiesofLPGgascylinders.IntheweeksbeforetheoutbreakAhmedabadwasexperiencingawidelyreportedshortageofsuchcylinders.Vehicleswerealsousedtotransportlootedgoods.Theleadersofthemobsallegedlyhadmobilephonesaswellaswaterbottles,andregularlycommunicatedwithothers,presumablyincludingtheirpoliticalbosses.

    5]ItisameasureofthevirtualbreakdownoflargeareasofpolicefunctioningthatintelligencereportsofthisHindutvaplanningwereeithernotcompiledorignoredbyhigherups.Thesetypesofpreparationsshouldnothavegoneunnoticedsince,attheveryleast,hundredsmusthavebeeninvolved.Further,thismassmovementofmen,materialsandvehiclescouldeasilyhavebeencurbedbydecisivepoliceaction,whichwouldhaveledtoadramaticfallincasualties,rapeanddestructionofproperty.Virtuallynopreventivearrestsweremadefurtheremboldeningthemobs.LaterarrestsreportedlyhadadisproportionatenumberofMuslims.Insharpcontrast,inplaceslikeKacchch,Surat,Amreli,etc.,wheretough,decisiveandextensiveactionwastakenbytheadministrationandpolice,thesituationwaskeptundercontrol.ThiswouldindicatethatthebreakdownoflawandorderinAhmedabad,Vadodara,andelsewherewasaconsequenceofthepoliticisationoftheadministrationandpolice.

    6]Thesuborningoflargesectionsoftheadministrationandpolicetopermit,andinnumerouscasestofacilitate,theHindutvaagenda,wascriticalforthespread,intensityandpersistenceofthecommunalviolence.AswastheblindeyeturnedtotheprovocativepropagandabysectionsoftheGujaratimedia,SanghParivaraffiliatesnotablytheVHP,andattimesbyStatefunctionariesthemselves.ThegovernmentstatementsimmediatelyafterGodhravirtuallyaccusingtheGhanchisofSingalFaliyaofactingasPakistaniISIagents,andtheirdecisiontopublicisethetransportingofthecharredbodiestoAhmedabadforpublicfuneral,canonlybeseenasacynicalattempttofomentcommunaltensionandhysteriaessentialfortheattacksthatinevitablyfollowed.ThiswascompoundedbytheStategovernmentssanctionandsupportfortheVHPbandhandtheir

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    signaltothebureaucracyandpolicetominimisetheirintervention.Sincethenthegovernmenthassystematicallytriedtocoverup,minimise,andevenjustify,theextentofviolence,whileprotectingtheguiltyandthoseguiltyofderelictionofduty.ThisiswhytheeventsofFebruaryMarch2002canonlybecalledastatesponsoredpogrom.

    7]InsteadofinterveningandtakingdecisiveactionagainsttheStategovernment,theCentralgovernmenthaschosentominimizetheseriousnessofwhathashappened,withseniorCentralgovernmentleadersearlyonallegingwithoutproof,ISIinvolvementinGodhra.Withoutthissustainedandconsistentsupport,theModigovernmentcouldnothavecontinuedinpowerorhavebeenemboldenedtocontinuewithitsbloody,antiConstitutionalandantinationalactivities.SincethedefenceoftheConstitutionalorderisitsprimaryduty,theUniongovernmentitselfhasfailedtofulfillitsprimaryduties,andupholditsoathofoffice.

    8]WhathashappenedinGujaratisnotonlyagruesometragedyforthatState,oranationaltragedyasthePrimeMinisterkeepssaying.Itismuchmorethanthat.Ifthoseguilty,whetherfortheGodhrakillingsorforthecarryingoutandcoveringupofthestatesponsoredpogromareallowedtogounpunished,itwillhavesevereconsequencesforthecontinuationofIndiaasasecular,multiculturaldemocracy.IfminoritiesalongwithallthosewhodisagreewithHindutvafanatics,(togetherthelargemajorityofthepeopleofIndia),canbeattackedinthismannerthenasecularIndiacannotsurvive.

    Recommendations

    1]InviewoftheConstitutionalbreakdowninGujarat,[patentintheconcertedandsystematicchallengemountedtothesecularfoundationofthepolityinthefailuretoprotectthelifelibertyandsafetyofasittingHighCourtjudgebelongingtotheminoritycommunityinthemonumentalbreakdownoflawandorder,intheveryheartofthestatecapitalandelsewhereandinthelargescalelooting,arsonandkillingtowhichthemonoritycommunitywasallowedtobesubjugatedsystematically],undertheobligationsenjoinedonitunderArticle355,theUniongovernmentshouldimposePresidentsRuleunderArticle356.

    2]DuringPresidentsRule,stringentandextensivemeasuresmustbeundertakentodepoliticiseanddecommunalisethebureaucracyandpoliceatalllevels.TheimpartialandefficientfunctioningoftheGujaratadministrationandpolicemustberestoredinaccordancewiththeprovisionsandinjunctionsoftheConstitution.

    3]TheK.G.ShahCommissionofInquiryshouldbereplacedbyaCommissionofInquiryheadedbyasittingSupremeCourtjudgeandincludingoneormoresittingHighCourtjudges,withmoreextensivetermsofreferencesimilartothatoftheearlierJusticeJagmohanReddyInquiryCommission.

    4]Specialcourtsshouldbesetuptotrytheguilty,includingleadingpoliticians.CBIinquiriesbeinstitutedagainstseniorpoliceofficersandbureaucratssuspectedofderelictionofduty.

    5]RecommendationsoftheNationalPoliceCommission[197981]toestablishtheautonomyofthepoliceandfreeitfromunduepoliticalcontrolshouldbeacceptedandimplementedimmediately.

    6]Immediatemeasuresforreliefandrehabilitation.Peacecommitteesmustbesetupinalllocalities,includingunaffectedones.Thesecommitteesshouldbeinvolvedincreatingaconduciveatmosphereforthevictimstoreturnhome,oncetheirresidencesare

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    reconstructed.Adequatecompensationshouldbegivenforthereconstructionofcommercialandindustrialestablishments.Thenecessaryrulesmayberevised,andtheCentrecangivethenecessaryfinancialsupport.Whenthisisnotpossible,peacecommitteesintheareaofrelocationshouldbeinvolved.AlleffortsmustbemadetopreventfurtherghettoisationoftheMuslimcommunity.

    7]Inviewofthetrauma,victimsespeciallywomenandchildrenhavesuffered,freemedical,includingpsychiatric,careshouldbeprovided.Astherehasapparentlybeenwidespreadrape,includingofgirlchildren,specialcounsellingbymedicalpersonnelaswellasbysocialworkersshouldbeorganised.

    8]Theroleofsectionsofthemedia,particularlytheGujaratilanguagepress,shouldbeinvestigatedbythePressCouncil,anddeterrentandremedialactionbetaken.

    Section1

    Box1:AHistoryofCommunalRiotsinGujarat

    Afterindependence,Gujaratwitnesseditsfirstmajorcommunalriotinvolvinglargescalemassacres,arsonandlootingin1969.Theriotstookatollofover1,000livesandpropertyworthcroresofRupeeswasdestroyed.Duringtheyears1974to1980,otherissuespreoccupiedGujaratisociety.The1984antireservationagitationalsotooksomethingofacommunalturnasthiswasonewayofreducingthepolarisationthatwasotherwisetakingplacebetweenuppercasteandlowercasteHindus.Duringthenineties,theRamJanmabhoomiissuebegantooccupythecentreofthestage.L.K.AdvanisRathYatrain1990ledtothehighestnumberofcommunalriotsinthestate.CommunalpassionswereraisedparticularlyinthoseareaswhereHinduMuslimamityhadprevailedinthepast.Violencealsospreadtoruralareas.

    Organisedeffortsweremadeincivilsocietythroughinformalchannels,theprintandvisualmedia,publiclecturestoprovidenewandmoremilitantinterpretationsofHinduismandtopromoteafeelingamongHindusthatasamajoritycommunitytheywerebeingtreatedunjustlythroughappeasementofMuslimsbyvariousvestedinterests.TheviewthatMuslimswereconservative,antinational,fundamentalistandproPakistanwassystematicallypromoted.InsomecasesHinduswereevenexhortedtotakeuparmstodefendtheirinterests.

    TheBJPcametopowerinGujaratinthemidnineties.SteadystatesupportwasextendedtotheactivitiesoforganisationssuchastheRSS,VHP,ShivSena,BajrangDalandsoon.SchoolcurriculaweremodifiedtobeintunewiththeHindutvaideology.AntiChristianpropagandaandviolencewereinitiated.EffortsweremadetopenetratethetribalbeltwheretheinfluenceoftheBJPwaslimited.Trishuls,swordsandotherweaponsweredistributedatceremonialreligiousfunctions.Trainingcampaignswerecarriedouttospreadideologicalmessages.

    Between1987and1991,anestimated106majorriotstookplaceinGujarat.Politicalrivalryandconflictsduringelectionswereresponsiblefortriggeringaround40percentof

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    theseriots.Tensionsrelatedtoreligiousprocessionstriggeredanotherapproximately22percentofallriots.Othertriggerswerepersonalillfeelings,cricketmatches,suddenquarrels,loveaffairsbetweenHindugirlsandMuslimboysandviceversa,andsoon.Persistentcommunaltensionshavecontributedtotheperpetuationofviolenceasawayoflifeandtheemergenceofauthoritarianelementsinsociety,whichseektodestroycivicorder.ThemixingofpoliticswithreligionhasplayedhavocinGujarat.Communalriotshaveoftenbeenengineeredtooverthrowinconvenientstategovernments.Politicalconfrontationandviolenceasawayofassertingonespresencehavebecomeestablishedpracticesinthestatesdemocraticpolity.Thesheernumericalstrengthandviolenceoforganisedmobsissometimesusedtosupplantnormallegalprocesses.Politicalviolenceincombinationwithemotionallychargedreligiousfanaticismhassoughttodestroythesocialfabricandtodividethepeople.

    Since1969,policepostshavebecomealmostapermanentfeatureofthecitylandscapeinAhmedabad.Manypoliticiansmoveaboutwitharmedguardsandvehiclestosafeguardtheirsecurityfromperceivedenemies.Politicoadministrativeinstitutionshavebeenunabletocontainviolencefirmly,fairlyandinaccordancewiththelaw.TheJusticeJaganmohanCommissionReportof1970andtheJusticeDaveCommissionReportin1990,haveclearlystatedthatthecountrybelongstonosinglecommunityimmutablydifferentandseparatefromothersectionsofsociety.AdisturbingassessmentofthecurrentsituationinGujarat,whichwaswidelyexpressedtothemembersofthisfactfindingmission,wasthatalargesectionofHindusinGujarathavecometoperceivesomesortofasocialsanctionbehindtheinflictionofwantonviolenceagainsttheminorityMuslimcommunityinthestate.

    Section2

    Box2:MurderMostFoul:TheDeathofIqbalEhsanJafriandFamilyMembers

    AmongthosekilledandinjuredbymaraudingmobsinAhmedabadfromFebruary28thonwardswereprominentMuslimsaswellaspoorMuslimfamilies.Somewerefortunateenoughtobeabletoflee.ThiswasthecasewithretiredJusticeAkbarN.Divechawhosehousewasburntdown.TheSpecialIGofPolice,A.I.Saiyedhadtorunforhislife.TheformerCongressMP,IqbalEhsanJafriwasburntalivealongwithhisfamilymembers(barringhisbravewifewhomanagedtoescapethewrathofthemarauders).HewaslivingintheGulbargSocietycolonyofChamanpuraareainthecityofAhmedabad.SeveralotherMuslimfamiliesinGulbargSocietyweresimilarlyburntalive.ByallaccountsseveralthousandshadgatheredinamobonFebruary28thtocarryoutlooting,arson,rapeandkillings.

    Policeofficials,speakinganonymously,confirmedthatJafrihadmadefrantictelephonecallstotheDirectorGeneralofpolice,thePoliceCommissioner,theChiefSecretary,theAdditionalchiefSecretary(Home)andothers.ThreemobilevansofthecitypolicewereonhandaroundJafrishousebutdidnotintervene.OurpolicesourcesfurtherconfirmedthattheMPresortedtofiringinselfdefencewhenhetotallyfailedinhisattemptstogetpoliceassistance.Atthatpoint,themauraudersbrokeintohishouse,andamongotherinhumandeeds,strippedandrapedhisdaughtersandthenburntthemalivealongwiththeirfather.ItwasonlytheRapidActionForce(RAF)ofthecentralgovernmentthatbelatedlyintervenedwhentheyarrivedonthescene.

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    Box3:ElectoralPoliticalCalculationsbytheBJP?

    TheBJPlastformedthestategovernmentthroughitsvictoryinassemblyelectionsin1998.Itcametopoweronthecampaigningsloganofpromisingfreedomfrom"Bhook,BheyAurBrashtachar",orfreedomfromhunger,fearandcorruption.Between1998andtheFebruary27,2002,however,theBJPhassufferedbadlyinelectionsatalllevels.

    IntheDecember2000electionsto6municipalcorporations,to25districtpanchayatsandtothefarmorenumerousTalukaelectionsheldsimultaneously,theBJPlostheavily.Itlostcontrolinalmostallthedistrictpanchayatelections.ItretainedfourofthesixmunicipalitiesbutitstwolosseswereinthemostprestigiousmunicipalitiesofAhmedabad,thecapitalandRajkotwheretheRSSandtheSanghhashaditsstrongestfoothold.TheBJPhadheldAhmedabadcorporationforthelast15yearsandRajkotforthelast25years.TheCongresspartywasthebiggestbeneficiaryoftheBJPselectoralreversals.

    InSeptember2001underthepreviousBJPregimeinthestateheadedbyKeshubhaiPatel,itlosttotheCongressinthetwoassemblyelectionsheldthen.NarendraModiwasbroughtinaschiefministerofGujarattoreplacePatelshortlyafterthatdebacle,partlytobringaboutachangeintheBJPssinkingelectoralfortunes.However,intheFebruary24,2002byeelectionsheldinthreeassemblyseats(allheldpreviouslybytheBJP)thepartylosttwoofthembyheavymarginstotheCongress,andModihimselfwaselectedfromthethirdRajkotconstituencybyamuchreducedmarginascomparedtothepreviouspoll.Itwaswidelybelieved,rightlyorwrongly,thathecouldevenhavelostiftheCongresshadfieldedastrongercandidate.

    ThequestionnaturallyarisesastowhetherthereareanyelectoralpoliticalconsiderationsbehindwhatsubsequentlyhappenedfromFebruary28onwards?Thiscanonlybespeculatedupon.However,whatisafactisthattheGujaratstategovernmentandpartyheadedbyModihas,aftertheoutbreakofprolongedcommunalviolenceinGujarat,wantedtoholdassemblyelectionsbeforethescheduledtimeofFebruaryMarch2003.ThisisconfirmedbyallthemajordailiesofNewDelhiandelsewhereonMarch28,2002,whichreportedonModisvisittoDelhitomeetthePrimeMinister,AtalBihariVajpayee.ThePMisreportedtohavetoldModitoforgetaboutseekingtoreschedule(bringforward)theassemblypollsatthisjunctureandtoconcentrateonrestoringnormalcyinthestatefirst.

    Althoughitis,ofcourse,theElectionCommissionthathasfinalsayontheprecisetimingofthenextassemblypolls,thefactthatModihassoughttobringforwardthedatesoftheassemblyelectionsinGujaratclearlyindicatesthatitisthebeliefofhimselfandhispartyinthestatethattheBJPwillbenefitfromthepoliticalfalloutofthecarnagethathastakenplace.

    Box4:TranslationofanArticleinSandesh

    [March1,2002,Page16]

    FROMAMONGTHOSEABDUCTEDFROMSABARMATIEXPRESSTWODEADBODIESOFHINDUGIRLSFOUNDNEARKALOLINMUTILATEDSTATE

    Vadodara,Thursday:Thedetailsoftheinformationaboutthedeadbodiesoftwogirls

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    abductedfromthebogies,duringtheattackontheSabarmatiexpress,yesterday,foundinamutilatedandterriblydisfiguredform,nearapondinKalol,hasaddedfueltothealreadyvolatilesituationoftension,notonlyinPanchmahal,butinthewholeState.

    Aspartofacruelinhumanactthatwouldmakeevenadevilweep,thebreastsofboththedeadbodieshadbeencut.Seeingthedeadbodiesoneknowsthatthegirlshadbeenrapedagainandagain,perhapsmanytimes.Thereisaspeculationthatduringthisactitselfthegirlsmighthavedied.

    Thepolice,however,havekeptquietandhavenotspokenaboutthissensitiveevent.Onaccountofthat,variousspeculationsduringanalreadytensesituationarelikeaddinggheetothefire.

    Accordingtothetalkheardduringthenightonemoredeadbodyofagirl,alsoinaterriblymutilatedform,hadbeenfound.Afterhavingrapedandmutilated,thebodyofthewomanwassetonfirewithpetrol.Istherenolimittothelust?

    Box5:TranslationofaVHPLeaflet

    [VHPleaflet,JaiShriRam]

    Wakeup!Arise!Think!Enforce!

    Savethecountry!Savethereligion!

    Economicboycottistheonlysolution!TheantinationalelementsusethemoneyearnedfromtheHindustodestroyus!

    Theybuyarms!Theymolestoursistersanddaughters!Thewaytobreakthebackboneoftheseelementsis:Aneconomicnoncooperationmovement.

    Letusresolve:

    1.FromnowonIwillnotbuyanythingfromaMuslimshopkeeper!

    2.Iwillnotsellanythingfrommyshoptosuchelements!

    3.NeithershallIusethehotelsoftheseantinationals,northeirgarages!

    4.IshallgivemyvehiclesonlytoHindugarages!Fromaneedletogold,IshallnotbuyanythingmadebyMuslims,neithershallwesellthemthingsmadebyus!

    5.BoycottwholeheartedlyfilmsinwhichMuslimheroheroinesact!Throwoutfilmsproducedbytheseantinationals!

    6.NeverworkinofficesofMuslims!Donothirethem!

    7.Donotletthembuyofficesinourbusinesspremises,norsellorrentouthousestotheminourhousingsocieties,coloniesorcommunities.

    8.Ishallcertainlyvote,butonlyforhimwhowillprotecttheHindunation.

    9.IshallbealerttoensurethatoursistersdaughtersdonotfallintothelovetrapofMuslimboysatschoolcollegeworkplace.

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    10.IshallnotreceiveanyeducationortrainingfromaMuslimteacher.

    Suchstricteconomicboycottwillthrottletheseelements!Itwillbreaktheirbackbone!Thenitwillbedifficultforthemtoliveinanycornerofthiscountry.Friends,beginthiseconomicboycottfromtoday!ThennoMuslimwillraisehisheadbeforeus!Didyoureadthisleaflet?Thenmaketenphotocopiesofit,anddistributeittoourbrothers.ThecurseofHanumanji[be]onhimwhodoesnotimplementthis,anddistributeittoothers!ThecurseofRamchandrajialsobeonhim!JaiShriram!

    AtrueHindupatriot!

    Section3

    Box6:SelectedQuotesFromthePress

    1.March1,2002(TimesofIndia,DelhiEdition)

    ChiefMinisterNarendraModistated:"Imabsolutelysatisfiedwithhowthepoliceandthegovernmenthashandledthebacklash.Imhappytheviolencehasbeenlargelycontained."

    NarendraModisaidthat:"ThefivecrorepeopleofGujarathaveshownremarkablerestraintundergraveprovocation."

    OnEhsanJafrismurder,NarinderModisaid:"BeforeCongressleaderJafrisHousewassetablaze,reportsclaimthattherewasfiringonthemobfrominsidehisresidence.(Itis)preplannedandtheincidentseemstobeaterroristactivity."

    2.March2,2002(TimesofIndia,DelhiEdition)

    OntheviolenceafterGodhra,Modistated:"EveryActionhasanequalandoppositereaction."

    3.March4,2002(IndianExpress,AhmedabadEdition)

    TheUnionHomeMinister,Mr.L.K.AdvaniwhenaskedwhetherhefavouredaninquiryintowhathappenedafterGodhrasaid:"ItsuptotheStateGovernmenttodecide.ButtheinquiryinGodhracannotberelatedwithanyinquiryintotheincidentslater."

    (TimesofIndia,DelhiEdition)

    ChiefMinisterModistated:"TheGovernmenthasdecidedthatfamiliesofthosekilledintheGodhraattackwillbepaidRs.2LakhwhilerelativesofthosekilledintheviolencefollowingGodhrawillgetRs.OneLakhpervictim."

    4.March5,2002(IndianExpress,AhmedabadEdition)

    TheBJPNationalPresident,Mr.JanaKrishnamurthysaid:"ThepostGodhraviolence,thoughstronglycondemnableisaresultofrevulsionsafterGodhra.Youcantcountouthumanfeelings."

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    5.March6,2002(IndianExpress,AhmedabadEdition)

    NarendraModi,ChiefMinisterofGujaratsaid:"Ihavebroughtpeacetothestatein72hours."Theviolencehascontinuedforoveramonth.

    (TimesofIndia,DelhiEdition)

    Onbeingaskedabouthisdiscriminatorytreatmentbetweenthecommunities,Modireplied:"Whatdiscrimination?You(media)areallouttopullmygovernmentdown."

    6.March6,2002(IndianExpress,AhmedabadEdition)

    ModireferringtothepostGodhraviolencesaid:"Whathappenedissecularviolencewhichhappensduringcommunalviolence."

    HefurtherwentontocalltheFebruary28bandhoftheVHPa"naturalbandh",whateverthatmeans.

    7.March14,2002(IndianExpress,AhmedabadEdition)

    Regardingthecontinuingviolencereportedbythepress,Modideclares:"ThereisaconspiracygoingontobringdisreputetothegoodnameofGujarat."

    8.March15,2002(IndianExpress,AhmedabadEdition)

    Talkingaboutthefutureelectoralimpactofthecommunalcarnage,anunnamedBJPhardlinerreportedtobeclosetotheChiefMinistersaid:"ThepartyleadershipcancertainlytranslatethisHindubacklashintovotes,incaseitdecidedtogoforfreshAssemblyelectionsinMayorJune."[ReportedintheIndianExpress,Ahmedabadedition,page5.]

    9.March18,2002(HindustanTimes,DelhiEdition)

    TheRSSResolutionpassedintheirallIndiaGeneralCouncilmeetingheldinBangaloredeclaresthepostGodhraviolencetobe"naturalandspontaneous".TheResolutionalsosays:"LettheMuslimsunderstandtheirrealsafetyliesinthegoodwillofthemajority."

    10.March20,2002(IndianExpress,AhmedabadEdition)

    JustifyingtheuseofthePreventionofTerrorismOrdinance(POTO)toarrestpeopleaftertheGodhraincident,althoughPOTOwasnotusedthereaftertoarrestanyonesuspectedofinvolvementinthepostGodhrakillingsandpropertydestruction,theGujaratMinisterofStateforHome,GordhanZadaphiasaid:"InGodhraanoutsideagencyliketheISIwasinvolvedanditwasapureterroristact.ButwhattookplaceintheStatelaterwasmobfury."

    11.March22,2002(IndianExpress,AhmedabadEdition)

    TheGujaratStateMinisterforCivilSupplies,BharatBarotcallsforthedismantlingofreliefcampsfilledwithMuslimvictimsoftheterriblecarnage,soasdispelwhatheclaimsareHindufearsabouttheirpresence.Orasheputsit,"sothatthereisnofurthercommunaldisturbance".Inshort,thevictimsarethemselvesbeingblamedforrepresentingacommunaldanger.

    12.March25,2002(TimesofIndia,DelhiEdition)

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    InRajkotwhenopeningapartyoffice,Modisaid:"theirresponsiblestatementsbeingmadebytheOppositionintheLokSabhaareoneofthereasonswhytheGujaratviolenceisnotabating."Hefurthersaid:"TheOppositioniskeenonkeepingthefireburninginGujarat."ModicausedanuproarinParliamentwhenhestatedthattheriotsinthestatewouldendwhentheParliamentsessionitselfended.

    13.March27,2002(TimesofIndia,DelhiEdition)

    Modiwhenaskedaboutthetransferofseniorpoliceofficersstated:"Seniorpoliceofficershaventbeenvictimizedbytransfers.Theyhavejustbeenpromoted."AftermeetingthePrimeministerhesaid:"Thereisnotalkofchangeofleadership.Everyoneissatisfied."

    14.April2,2002(AsianAge,DelhiEdition)

    TheVHPInternationalGeneralSecretary,PraveenTogadiasaid:"WhatishappeninginGujaratisnotcommunalriotsbutpeoplesanswertoIslamicJihad."

    15.April5,2002(EconomicTimes,DelhiEdition)

    ThePrimeMinister,AtalBihariVajpayeesaid:"IhavefullfaithinModithathewouldfollowtheidealsofRajdharma."[Rajdharmameansethicsofrule].

    Box7:ARevealingIndictment

    AhmedabadisthecapitaloftheStateofGujarat.Ademocraticallyelectedgovernmentisinplacethere.ItisheadedbysomeonewhowasadministeredtheoathofallegiancetotheConstitutionofIndiaandissworntoupholdtheruleoflawwithoutfearorfavour,andtoprotectthelifeandlibertyofallcitizensirrespectiveoftheirreligiousaffiliation.UnderourConstitution,theJudiciaryhasacrucialroletoperformnotonlyasdispenserofjusticebutalsoasguarantoroftherighttolifeandliberty.ItfollowsthataspecialresponsibilitydevolvesontheExecutiveatboththeCentreandintheStatestoprotectthelife,libertyandsafetyofthemembersoftheJudiciaryandtoensurethenecessaryworkingconditionswhereintheycandischargetheirConstitutionalfunctions.

    Andyet,inAhmedabad,onFebruary28/March1,2002,therewasacompleteabnegationofthisresponsibilitybytheStategovernmentwithregardtoJusticeKadri(andhisfamily),aMuslimsittingjudgeoftheGujaratHighCourt.ThewrittensubmissiontotheNationalHumanRightsCommission(NHRC)bytheretiredChiefJusticeoftheRajasthanHighCourtJudge,residentinAhmedabad,JusticeA.P.Ravani,whencarefullyreadforitsrevelationsandinferences,constitutesasearingindictmentoftheStategovernmentandPolicefortheirunacceptableandinexplicablefailuretofulfilltheirConstitutionalresponsibilitiestoprotecttheJudiciary.[SeeAppendix3]

    On28thFebruary,arsonwastakingplaceinfrontoftheHighCourtbuildingdespitethepresenceofapolicecompany,whichisalwaysdeployedintheHighCourtpremises,andwiththeSolaPoliceStationonlyhalfakilometreaway.ThelawandordersituationhaddeterioratedtosuchanextentthattheJudgeshadtotaketheunprecedentedstepofleavingtheCourtabruptly,althoughinthepasttheCourtshavecontinuedtofunctiononworkingdayseveninriotconditionselsewhere.WhilethepolicecouldanddidescorttheJudgesoutoftheCourt,theydidnotprotecttheCourtanditscontinuedfunctioning![Thoughtheprovisionofapoliceescortisnotspecificallymentionedinthedeposition,thiswasconfirmedinapersonalcommunicationwithJusticeRavani.]

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    ThesituationwasverytensenearJusticeKadrisbungalow(hisofficialresidence),whereincidentsoflootingandarsonweretakingplace.DespitealleffortsbytheChiefJusticeDharmadhikari(whoinofficialprotocolrankssecondonlytotheChiefMinister)toensurepoliceprotectionforJusticeKadri,heandotherjudgesoftheHighCourt,giventhefailureofsuchefforts,urgedJudgeKadritomovehimselfandhisfamilytoJusticeVaghelasresidenceforthenight.Theordealdidnotendthere.TheVastrapurarea(wheretheChiefJusticesresidenceislocated,aswellasthebungalowsofotherjudges,andwhereabungalowwasbeingreadiedforMrKadritomoveinontheafternoonofMarch1)was,inthedevelopingcircumstances,notatallsafeforthosebelongingtotheminorityMuslimcommunity.Despitethepresenceofalargepoliceforce,includingmembersoftheStateReservePolice(SRP)inthearea,variousincidentsoflootingandarsonhadtakenplaceincludingtheburningofaMuslimownedrestaurant,"Tasty",infrontoftheblockwheretheChiefJusticesresidenceislocated.[PersonalcommunicationbyJusticeRavani]

    Extraordinarily,evenofficialsbelongingtoMilitaryIntelligencetoldJusticeKadrithatheshouldnotrelyonthelocalpoliceforhissafetyandthatheshouldconsidermovingtothemilitaryguesthouseinthecantonmentareawheretheycouldensurehissafety!Meanwhile,newscamethroughthatthehouseofJusticeA.Divecha,aretiredHighCourtJudgeandaformerChairman,MRTPCommission,whohappenedtobeaMuslim,wasransackedandburntbyamobforcinghimtoleaveit.ThecircumstancesforcedJusticeKadritomovetohissisterinlawsflatinRiveraApartment,nearTagoreHall,locatedinapredominantlyMuslimarea.

    TheexperienceofJusticeKadriandhisfamilyraisesfundamentalquestions.Howwasitpossibleforlootingandarsontotakeplaceintheveryareawhereseniorjudgeslivedandwheretherewasmorethanadequatepresenceofthepolice?Itisawellestablishedfact(andanacceptedprincipleofpolicepeacekeeping)thatacoupleofarmedpolicemencaneasilydisperseamobofathousand.Herethereweremorethanenougharmedpolicementocopewithmobsintheseveralthousands,yetnotonlytheJudgesthemselvesfearedforthelivesoffellowMuslimsjudges,butmilitaryintelligencealsoconfirmedthevalidityoftheirfears!HowisitthatneithertheHighCourtitselfnortheresidencesofMuslimjudges,activeorretired,couldbeprotected?WhyisitthattheStategovernmentandpolicedidnotfulfilltheirConstitutionalresponsibilitiestoprotecttheJudiciary,itsfunctioning,itssafety,andtherebyitssubstantiveindependence?Fortwofulldays,theConstitutionoftheRepublicofIndiawassuspendedintheheartofthecapitalcityofGujarat,evenforthemembersoftheHighestJudiciaryintheState.TheruleoflawvanishedandonlythemilitaryarmoftheRepublicwaspreparedandabletoguaranteelife,libertyandsafetyofahighcourtjudge,andthattooonlywithinthecantonmentarea!GiventheeventsdetailedinthiscasehowisitpossibletoavoidtheconclusionthattherewasStateandPolicecomplicitywithrespecttotheviolencethatwastakingplaceanddirectedagainstMuslims,includingseniorMuslimJudges?

    Box8:TheTermsofReferenceoftheK.G.ShahCommissionofEnquiry

    OnMarch62002,theGovernmentofGujaratannouncedthesettingupofaonemancommissionheadedbyretiredJusticeK.G.ShahtolookintotherecentcommunalviolenceinGujarat.ThetermsofreferenceofthiscommissionofenquiryarecomparedbelowwiththoseoftheJusticeJaganmohanReddycommissionofenquiryintotheAhmedabadriotsof1969andthoseoftheJusticeSrikrishnacommissionofenquiryintotheMumbairiotsof1992.

    ShahCommission:TermsofReference(2002)

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    Toascertain

    Thefacts,circumstancesandthecourseofeventsoftheincidentsthatledtosettingonfireofsomecoachesoftheSabarmatiExpresstrainonFebruary27,2002nearGodhrarailwaystation.

    Thefacts,circumstancesandcourseofeventsofthesubsequentincidentsofviolenceintheStateintheaftermathoftheGodhraincident.

    TheadequacyofadministrativemeasurestakentopreventanddealwiththedisturbancesinGodhraandsubsequentdisturbancesintheState.

    ToascertainastowhethertheincidentatGodhrawaspreplannedandwhetherinformationwasavailablewiththeagencies,whichcouldhavebeenusedtopreventtheincident.

    Torecommendsuitablemeasurestopreventrecurrenceofsuchincidentsinfuture.

    JaganmohanReddyCommission:TermsofReference(1969)

    Toascertain

    Thecausesandcourseofthecommunaldisturbances,whichtook,placeatAhmedabadandgenerallyinotherpartsofthestateofGujaratonandafter18thSeptember1969.

    Theadequacyoftheadministrativemeasurestakentopreventanddealwiththesaiddisturbances.

    Measures,whichmaybeadoptedtopreventrecurrenceofsuchdisturbances.

    Othermattersrelatingtothecommunaldisturbancesinthestateasmaybegermanetotheabove.

    SrikrishnaCommission:TermsofReference(1992)

    Toascertain

    Thecircumstances,eventsandimmediatecausesoftheincidentswhichoccurredinBombayPoliceCommissionerateareainDecember1992onorafterthe6thDecember1992andagaininJanuary1993onorafterthe6thJanuary1993.

    Whetheranyindividualorgroupofindividualsoranyotherorganisation,wereresponsibleforsucheventsandcircumstances.

    Theadequacy,orotherwise,oftheprecautionaryandpreventivemeasures,takenbythepoliceprecedingtheaforesaidincidence.

    Whetherthestepstakenbythepoliceincontrollingtheriotswereadequateandproperandwhetherthepolicefiringresultingindeathswasjustifiedornot.

    Themeasures,longandshortterm,whicharerequiredtobetakenbytheadministrationtoavoidrecurrenceofsuchincidents,tosecurecommunalharmonyandalsotosuggestimprovementsinlawandordermachinery.

    Thecircumstancesandtheimmediatecauseoftheincidentscommonlyreferredtoasthe

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    serialbombblastsofthe12thMarch1993,whichoccurredintheBombaypolicecommissioneratearea.

    Whethertheselastincidentshadanycommonlinkwithincidentsmentionedatthefirstpointabove.

    Whetheralltheseincidentswerepartofacommondesign.

    Comments

    First,itisnoteworthythattheJusticeShahCommissionisasinglemancommissionunliketheJaganmohanReddycommission,whichwasathreemancommissionwithtwoofitsmembersfromtheminoritycommunity.Further,JusticeShahisaretiredjudgeinpoorhealth.GiventhegravityoftherecentincidentsofcommunalviolenceinGujarat,itisobviousthatthereshouldbeathreememberCommissionledbyaservingjudgeoftheSupremeCourtofIndiawithtwoofitsmembersfromtheminoritycommunity.SincetheNarendraModiGovernmentanditsagencieshavebeenwidelyperceivedtohavecolludedwiththemassiveviolationofhumanrightsoftheminoritycommunityintherecentcommunalriotsinGujarat,itisnecessaryfortheCentralGovernmenttosetuptheCommissionandtoincludetheroleoftheStateGovernmentintheriotsaspartofthetermsofreferenceoftheCommissionofEnquiry.

    Second,thetermsofreference(TOR)oftheShahCommissionattachesconspicuouslylessimportancetotheseriousincidentsinAhmedabadandelsewhereascomparedtoitsconcernoverwhathappenedinGodhra.Third,whiletheelementofpreplanning,ifany,behindtheGodhraincidentsistobelookedinto,theneedtoadoptasimilarapproachinregardtotheincidentsinAhmedabadandelsewhere,isconspicuouslyignored.ThisisinmarkedcontrasttotheTORoftheSrikrishnacommissionofenquirywhichwasspecificallymandatedtoascertainwhether"anyindividualorgroupofindividualsoranyotherorganisation,wereresponsible"fortheincidents.Finally,theissueofsettingoutrestitution,compensation,rehabilitationandguaranteesofnonrepetitionasbenchmarksshouldbeincludedinthetermsofreference.

    Thus,theShahcommissionofenquiryintotherecentincidentsofcommunalviolenceinGujarat,asitstands,failstoinspireconfidenceandshouldberejected.

    Box9:InterviewwithaRSSBaudhikPracharak

    The56yearsoldRSSBaudhikpracharakstatedthathehadseenHinduMuslimriotssincechildhood.HewasconvincedthatthereasonforthiswasthattheMuslimpopulationinAhmedabadisrelativelyhighandMuslimsareconcentratedinJamalpurandotherpartsoftheOldCity.Thisriothebelievedwasthesecondaftertheonein1969whereHindushavebeendominant.Heconfidentlysaidthatafter27thFebruarywhen58personswerekilledinGodhra,theriotscameasareactiontothatevent.HesaidthatninetyfivepercentoftheriotshavebeenstartedbyMuslims.GodhrahadbeenpreplannedbytheISI.Themediahadbeenonesided,accordingtohim,sincetheyhadnotinterviewedrelativesofthekilledpassengers.Further,themediahadnotexposedPakistansrole.TheHinduhurthadbeenaggravatedbymediarole.Hewascriticaloftheassertionthattheriotswerewellplanned.HesaidthatthesewerebeyondthecontroloftheSanghParivarandwereaspontaneousreactiontoGodhra:"Wecanattractthemassesbutnotwhollycontrolthem."Thusthemobsweremadeupoflocalpeople.InC.G.Road,upperclasspeople,includingwomenparticipated.TherewasafocusedattackonMuslimpropertiesnotjustlooting.Youthof1820yearsweremoreactive.InAhmedabad,MuslimsweremoreproPakistanandhesaidthatMuslimsmustassimilate

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    intoHindusociety.WithMuslimentryintosomehousingcolonies,HindusweregraduallysellingofftheirflatsandtherehadbeenchangesinthecharacterofthelocalitywhereMuslimslived.HesaidhedidnotknowwhyMuslimsleanedtowardsPakistan.HealsostatedthatthecurrentriotsareorganizedbytheCongress(I).TheCongress(I)wasdoingthistowinoverMuslims.

    ThePracharakrepeatedlystatedthatMuslimswereresponsibleforthecurrentriotingandthatthemediawasbiased,excludingSandeshandGujaratSamachar.HewasangrywithTV:Star,Zee,AajTakfortheirbiasedrole,includingmediapersonPrabhuChawla.Hebelievedthatminorsporadicriotswouldcontinue.Hedeniedallegationsthattheriotswerepoliticallyandelectorallymotivated.Headmittedhoweverthatifthishadnothappened,electionsfortheBJPwouldhavebeendifficult.Evennowelectionswouldbedifficult.HebelievedthatHindushavesufferedeconomicallymore,butMuslimsarepsychologicallydemoralisedandtheirproPakistanactivitieswillbecurbedfor45years.

    TheBaudhikPracharakbelievedthattheHindusarescaredofabacklash.Fearandproblemsofalienationwillcontinue.TheproblemiswithMuslimreligiousandpoliticalleadersnotthemasses.Asfarasthemediaisconcerned,includingGujaratSamacharandSandesh,theyare"yellowjournalists"andhaveprimarilyeconomicinterests.HedeniedreportsofVHPRSSBajrangDalinvolvement,includingthoseconcerningthepresenceofMinistersincontrolrooms.

    TothequestionifMuslimsfesterincampswouldnottherebeadangerofterrorism?hereplied"Idonotknow.Wedidnotcreatetheproblem."WhenaskediftheISIwasbehindtheGodhraattack,hadnttheensuingcommunalviolenceanddivide,economicdisruptionandthedamagetoGujaratandtoIndiasimage,beenagreatsuccessfortheISI?heagreed,butblamedtheriotsontheMuslimsandthemedia.HebelievedthatGujaratwouldreboundeconomicallysoon,asminorriotsandclasheswillnotaffecttheeconomyandbusiness.

    TheultimatesolutiontotheproblemswiththeMuslims,thePracharaksaid,wastheannihilationofPakistan.

    InterviewcarriedoutbyKamalMitraChenoy.

    (SubhasChowk,Ahmedabad,Gujarat,26/3/2002).

    Box10:OnPoliceTransfers

    OnMarch24,theGujaratadministrationtransferred27policeofficersintheState.Clearly,thepoliceofficerswhotookfirmpositionsagainstthemaraudingVHPandBajrangDalmobsfacedtheireoftheModiGovernment.Otherswhomaintainedapurposefulinactionandwerepartisantowardsthemobsorwerespottedabettingthemwererewardedwithkeyandimportantpostings.

    ThestateDirectorGeneralofPolice,A.K.Chakravarty,wasnotconsultedaboutthetransfers,sincetheseweredonecompletelyatthebehestofthepoliticalleadership.ChakravartyobjectedtothesetransfersandwrotetotheadditionalchiefsecretarythatfourIPSofficerswerebeingtransferredforfulfillingtheirconstitutionalobligations.Hestatedthatsuchtransferswoulddemoralizethepoliceforce.

    TheSPofKachch,VivekSrivastavawastransferredbecausehearrestedtheareasHome

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    GuardsCommandant,AkshayThakkar,amemberoftheVHP,localVHPleaderVasantPatelandaShivSenapramukhforattackingthepriestofaDargahinthearea.TheStateHomeMinisterGordhanZadaphia,ahardcoreVHPmanandanappointeeofVHPleaderPraveenTogadia,calledSrivastavaaskinghimtodropthecharges.ThiswasfolowedbyacallfromtheChiefMinistersoffice.Sincehedidnotcomply,Srivastavawastransferred.AfterhistransfercommunalviolencehaseruptedinKachchaswell.

    RahulSharma,whohadbeentransferredasSPofBhavnagarrecently,tookstrongmeasurestostopriotingmobsinBhavnagaronMarch1.Heresortedtosomeroundso


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