[Reader-list] Hindu article

[Rakesh Iyer]

Dear all

I think one must also not forget that in all this, Modi had used Godhra to
justify post Godhra violence, which in turn ensured communal polarization
and victory for the BJP. Modi had launched a 'Gaurav Rath Yatra' then to use
this polarization for electoral purpose.

Neither then, nor now, do we know the truth of Godhra. We don't know why did
the then Railway Minister, the current CM of Bihar, Mr. Nitish Kumar, not
institute a Commission of Inquiry which is allowed under the Indian Railways
act, which states that in case of any incident involving the Railways which
leads to loss of lives or of property, a Commission must be instituted
within 48 hours. Even today, Nitish Kumar has never answered about this.

There was a huge hue and cry then that 58 karsewaks were burnt. The ironical
part is that when the Railway Ministry was asked about the identity of the
burnt people, they couldn't identify all of them. The reason of course was
that people were travelling without reservation. Why was this allowed? Just
because they were karsewaks or members of any party deeply involved in
politics? And were all those who were burnt karsewaks? Can small children be
karsewaks?

The third problem is about justice to those families who suffered in Godhra.
After Godhra was profitably used by the BJP to win Gujarat, nothing has
happened. The only thing which the BJP may be enjoying today to do is to
celebrate anniversary of Godhra tragedy, rather than actually doing
something creditable to give justice in this matter. The Gujarat govt and
the Gujarat police keep on changing their stand as and when they feel to do
so.

So initially the police says the train was burnt by Muslims from outside.
When it is proved this is not possible, then they say Muslims tore open the
S-6 compartment and then burnt the train. Then there is talk of evidence
being misused with. Also, Modi and his men entered the train, when the
correct thing would have been to let the train bogie be as it is simply
because forensic evidence from the train is required to punish the culprits,
and such going or disturbing can destroy forensic evidence or other things.

As for the Nanavati Shah Commission, the less said the better. It seems the
karsewaks were doing Gandhivadi protests while Razak Kurkur and others burnt
the train at will! The SIT was constituted to investigate the same Godhra
case, thereby disregarding the Nanavati Shah Commission view, that the train
was burnt from outside.

7 years from then, we don't know the truth about Godhra. All thanks to BJP,
and others who support them in this endeavor. The Commission was a farce (so
also the UC Banerjee committee), and Godhra was horrendous. If I accept the
contention that Muslims burnt the train, it was really shameful and
despicable; and if I believe that it was an accident, then I still feel
sorry for the victims and believe justice must be done.

The 58 souls are still waiting for justice.

Regards

Rakesh