Gujarat Riots: Supreme Court To Examine SIT Report  Expectation High For Fair And Impartial Justice

Gujarat Riots: Supreme Court To Examine SIT Report Expectation High For Fair And Impartial Justice

  In Supreme Court, the process of hearings has begun on the appeal filed by Zakia Jafri, wife of the Congress leader Ehsan Jafri, who was brutally murdered during the Gujarat riots. The appeal jointly filed by Zakia Jafri and the ‘Citizens For Justice and Peace’ challenges the report of the Supreme court-appointed SIT which probed the Gujarat riots of 2002 and gave clean chit in 2012 to 64 accused persons including Narendra Modi, the then Chief Minister of Gujarat. Prior to approaching the Supreme Court in 2018, the appellants had at first lodged a protest petition (in 2013) against the closure report of the SIT with the Magistrate Court as the latter had accepted it. When the protest was not looked into, the appellants in October 2017 had knocked on the doors of Gujarat High Court which upheld the decision of the lower court. In the appeal before the Supreme Court, the appellants while challenging the closure report of the SIT, have questioned the rationale for the clean chit given to the accused. During the hearing last week, the Supreme Court Bench comprising Justices A.M. Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari, and C.T. Ravikumar has said that it will peruse the closure report of the SIT, and the hearing will resume on November 10, 2021.

Appearing for the appellants, Kabil Sibal, a senior advocate of high repute, has raised several questions about the findings of the SIT, its closure report as well as the lackadaisical approach in conducting the investigations. Mr.Sibal has alleged that the SIT after collecting a plethora of facts and evidence about the modus operandi of the riots; the factors, and circumstances leading to it; and the role of many politicians, bureaucrats, police officials, etc, has failed to uncloak the entire gamut of affairs pertaining to riots and carnage incidents in the entire state. It rather limited its findings and report to the Gulberg Society violence in which the husband of the appellant was massacred. Explaining the locus standi for the appeal, Mr. Sibal told the Bench, “our case is, there was a larger conspiracy at play—there was bureaucratic inaction, police complicity, hate speech and a conspired unleashing of violence”. Referring to Section 190 of Cr.P.C, Mr.Sibal reminded the apex court that when certain facts and information constituting commission of an offence are apprised, the court is bound to take cognizance of them but in the instant lawsuit, he said, the Magistrate and the Session courts did not look into the facts and information brought to their notice by the
complaint of Zakia Jafri, which was not relating to Gulberg alone. He asked the apex court when such is the situation where one has to go?And which court should be approached for remedy in law?

Placing before the Supreme Court, the timeline of riot incidents, and the subsequent investigations by law enforcement authorities and the SIT, Mr. Sibal has challenged the credibility of the closure report. He has requested the apex court to ascertain answers to a bunch of questions for proper consideration of the lawsuit. Mr. Sibal has asked the reasons for the SIT to ignore the evidences collected on record and the findings of a sting operation by a journalist Ashish Khetan, all of which together reveal to a large extent the conspiracies behind the riots. On what basis the SIT restricted its scope to the Gulberg Society massacre
alone when evidences collected by it relates to the whole state of Gujarat? Why the SIT had not inquired into the presence of two ministers in the police control room when the massacre of victims was underway? What and who prevented the fire brigade from responding to calls when the city was on fire?

Why were the dead bodies of the Godhra train carnage handed over to Jaydeep Patel, a VHP member, in blatant violation of all the established rules of procedure? Who arranged the crowd in Ahmedabad before the dead bodies reached there? How did the public come to know that the dead bodies were brought there? Why curfew was not imposed in Ahmedabad when a crowd of about three thousand people had gathered shouting slogans against a particular community? Why the confirmations of Babu Bajrangi on the role of police and accused persons revealed in the sting operations have not been looked into to fix the culpability? With all such questions along with many other issues, Mr. Sibal has endeavoured to show the apex court that the SIT investigations and the closure report need to be relooked.

The appeal before the Supreme Court is not an ordinary lawsuit since it is challenging the report of the investigation team appointed by the apex court itself. The eyes of the whole world and the Indians are focused on the apex court as many of the accused in the suit are persons holding powerful positions. Everyone is waiting to see how the apex court will handle the instant lawsuit and uphold human rights.The advocate representing the appellants has informed the court that there is nothing political in the case and he is not concerned with the high dignitaries but the matter in issue is the rights of the individuals. Expectations from the highest court of justice are quite high to see a fair and impartial consideration on the plea of the appellants. After all, in the words of Mr.Sibal,“ A Republic stands or falls depending on what the court decides. We cannot trust anyone but the judiciary and the courts”.

The Supreme Court as a guardian of human rights; protector of the Constitution; and promoter of peace, harmony, and cordiality, is required in the matter to ascertain not just the justifications of the SIT for not considering the facts and evidences other than relating to the Gulberg Society violence but has to look into the micro details that are responsible for the unleashing of the unprecedented carnage in the post-independent India. It must adopt a stringent stand to objectively and fairly determine the culpability of all the persons involved in the riots and the ‘reign of terror’ regardless of the political, social, economic, religious or official positions they hold. The appellants as the court was given to understand are looking presently not conviction of the culprits but investigations. Further, the Supreme Court must prevail upon the union and state governments to bring in strong legislation to maintain communal harmony and prevent the occurrence of riots in the country. Alongside, the apex court must make efforts to study the factors that generally make any investigation team or commission on any law and order issue, produce reports which by and large do not strongly fix the culpability but maintain neutrality. It is high time that the apex court formulates strong principles of judicial accountability. Such principles would ensure that justice is not compromised under the influence of any factor, and the transparency it brings in the judicial system would negate the famous adage of Halifax that ‘if laws could speak for themselves, they would complain of lawyers in the first place.’

The Voice of the Citizens is the Voice of Our Government – Brand Bangalore

The Voice of the Citizens is the Voice of Our Government – Brand Bangalore

Brand Bengaluru envisions a city where pedestrian-friendly roads take center stage, prioritizing the safety and convenience of its residents. Well-planned sidewalks, dedicated cycling lanes, and green spaces encourage active transportation and promote healthier lifestyles. Efficient transportation systems and smart traffic management ensure a faster and seamless commute, reducing congestion and travel times. Integrated public transportation networks, including buses and metro lines, provide convenient and accessible options for all residents. Through effective urban planning and robust stormwater management, Bengaluru aims to eliminate flooding, safeguarding lives and properties. Sustainable drainage systems and water management practices ensure a flood-free environment even during heavy rainfall. Brand Bengaluru is committed to creating a child-friendly city, with parks, playgrounds, and educational spaces designed to nurture the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of children. Safe and inclusive environments encourage learning, exploration, and social interaction. As the thriving hub of Information Technology, Bengaluru continues to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological advancements. It provides a fertile ground for startups to flourish, attracting global talent and investment to fuel the growth of the IT sector. The city’s strong job market offers diverse employment opportunities across sectors, ensuring a vibrant and inclusive economy. Bengaluru promotes skill development, vocational training, and entrepreneurship, empowering individuals and fostering economic growth. Bengaluru envisions itself as a global leader, attracting international collaborations and investments. It embraces cultural diversity, promoting cross-cultural exchange and fostering a global outlook, positioning itself as a cosmopolitan city on the world stage. With a focus on fostering startups and promoting innovation, Bengaluru encourages a culture of creativity and entrepreneurship. Incubators, accelerators, and supportive policies create an ecosystem that nurtures and supports innovative ideas and their transformation into successful businesses. Inclusiveness is a core value of Brand Bengaluru. The city embraces diversity, ensuring equal opportunities and accessibility for all residents. Inclusive policies, barrier-free infrastructure, and social initiatives create an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to the city’s growth. Bengaluru aspires to be a beacon of innovation and progress, where startups, technology, and inclusive growth go hand in hand. It strives to create an ecosystem that fosters collaboration, empowers individuals, and drives positive change for the betterment of its residents and the world.

Kashmir Files: For Electoral Gains in 2024

Kashmir Files: For Electoral Gains in 2024

With a resounding victory in recent assembly elections in four of the five states, the BJP has begun preparations for the next Lok Sabha elections, scheduled for 2024. The BJP which has emerged from the womb of RSS as its political outfit has set itself the goal of winning the 2024 elections in any case and before that it is determined to form its government in Kashmir. The resolve to have the entire country under their control is part of a 100-year-old dream of RSS that Modi has set out to fulfil. Alongside, sectarian forces are working to immerse India in Hindutva. Their aim is to generate a climate where Hindus hate Muslims to the core so that all the Hindu votes in the elections are reserved for the BJP party.

The latest endeavour for the accomplishment of the set goals is the film ‘Kashmir Files’ directed by Vivek Agnihotri, and starring Anupum Kher and Mithun Chakraborty, both staunch supporters of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which depict the exodus of Kashmiri pandits during Kashmir insurgency in the year 1990. Immediately after the film’s release, the BJP governments in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Haryana made it tax-free and the Prime Minister made a lengthy speech in support of the film while addressing the BJP parliamentarians on March 15. He said that those who are opposing the film are the ones who do not want to admit the truth shown in the film. He further said that the film reveals the truth suppressed for years, and more such films need to be made to lay bare the truth to people. The film may be close to the stories of Kashmiri pandits leaving Kashmir, but now it is being used to spread hatred against Muslims in the country. Films like these are very dangerous and detrimental to the country and its unity, no matter how much the Prime Minister likes them. The effect of the Prime Minister’s endorsement of the film has led more and more people of a similar mindset to watch the film and conclude that those who expelled Kashmir pandits out of Kashmir, played with the dignity of their sisters and daughters, were Muslims. Several videos of the reactions of people after watching the film have gone viral. In one video people coming out of the cinema halls after watching the film are seen shouting slogans like ‘shoot the traitors of the country’. In another video, some people are seen chanting the slogans “Vande Mataram” and “ Jai Hind” in front of a movie theatre, and one of them is in a frenzy urging Hindus to stop watching movies starring Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan. One video clip shows a man harshly abusing Muslims using profanity without caring about the girls and women present at the place. The anthem of RSS, ‘Namaste Sada Vatsale Matribhume’ was sung in one of the cinema halls. In one of the videos, a man can be seen warning Hindus to be careful of Muslims who could attack them at any time. He was also seen telling the crowd that they had seen stories from Kashmir but such stories could unfold next in Kerala or West Bengal.

Modi is right when he says that truth must come before the country, but such truth should not be one-sided and incomplete. Is it not true that when the exodus of Kashmiri pandits took place, neither Congress was in power at the center, nor National Conference in Kashmir. Is it not true that in 1990, the BJP had supported V.P. Singh to become Prime Minister and the stalwarts of BJP like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani had chosen Jag Mohan, a favourite of RSS, to be the Governor of Kashmir? Was it not Jag Mohan who sent buses and trucks into villages and towns to ferry Kashmiri pandits and drove them away from the Kashmir valley? Is it not a fact that the insurgency in Kashmir in the 1990s was perpetrated by intruders and terrorists from Pakistan and Afghanistan and not by the local Muslims of the valley? Is it not a fact that more than 60,000 local Muslims of the valley were killed by terrorists and security forces after the Kashmiri pandits left the valley and that the same atrocities that the Kashmiri pandits suffered during their exodus were committed against the Muslims in the valley? If the Prime Minister is keen to convey such truths to the country and the world, should not films be made on the killings and massacres in Nelli in Assam, Meerut, Maliyana, Muradabad, Aligarh, etc.? Will there be films about the massacre of Sikhs? Will films be made on the truth of the heinous and shameful acts at Godhra Station and the massacres that ensued across Gujarat when Modi himself was the Chief Minister of the state Could Indians expect films about the massacres that took place under the guise of riots in many parts of the country following the demolition of Babri Masjid and the subsequent bomb blasts in Mumbai? Will the reality of Bhagalpur massacre be brought to light through films? Should not the truths behind the riots that took place in different parts of the country during the Rath Yathra of Lal Krishan Advani, the political mentor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, be brought before the Indians through films?

Speaking at the BJP parliamentary party meeting, Modi also said that if someone does not like the truth of Kashmir Files, nothing stops such a person from making another film based on his factual knowledge. Such a statement that too by a Prime Minister is extremely irresponsible, inappropriate, and dangerous for the country. Things are changing around the world and people are forgetting past hatred, animosity, and mistakes and trying to move forward with mutual love, respect, and regard for each other. It was with this spirit that Berlin Wall was torn down a few years ago, and the two parts of the country were reunited so that people there could live happily together. It was the same spirit that prompted the white and black people of South Africa to forget the crimes of the apartheid regime reconcile truths and shake hands to move the country towards progress and prosperity. When the situation in different countries is such for reconciliation between individuals and communities to live in a peaceful and amicable atmosphere, the stand of our Prime Minister calling for anyone to make films on explosive issues that generate mutual hate between communities does not seem appropriate. Should it be the wisdom of the country’s greatest leader to ask the wounds to keep bleeding and rub salt on them from time to time to spread hatred between different communities? Alas, when leaders take such stands, God bless our country. God save India.

Amid Hijab Row, Massive Bank Scams Go Unreported

Amid Hijab Row, Massive Bank Scams Go Unreported

In order to cover up its multitude of failures, the Modi government always pulls off devious tricks that fool gullible Indians. The government that assumed power under Modi in 2014 has become a nuisance to sensible citizens, but it foxily keeps the general public involved in the game of Hindutva faith. In recent days, India’s biggest banking scam has come to light but the government has swept it under the carpet by making the attention of the media and everyone remain focused on the hijab issue to that extent that polarization between Hindus and Muslims has increased and reached the boiling point. People of different faiths who have lived together for centuries harmoniously have turned hostile and have started questioning the religious practices of one another.
The spark of hijab controversy that originated in the Udupi district of Karnataka has now spread to all parts of the country and abroad, and everyone seems to be caught up in it, consciously or unconsciously. In this state of affairs, there is no one to ask Modi who is responsible for the latest and the biggest banking scam? In the past, the Modi government has helped Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and his uncle Mehul Choksi to flee the country after their high-profile economic crimes of defrauding banks worth several thousand crores of rupees were exposed. But, the hijab row has succeeded in diverting public attention from the latest banking scam. There was a time when the policy of divide and rule used to be followed for remaining in power, but the Modi government has modified it to ‘misguide and rule’ to implement its agenda.

Media reports indicate that ABG Group (ABG Shipyard Ltd.) has defrauded a consortium of nearly 28 banks for a total amount exceeding 22,000 crores of rupees. What is even more shocking is that the ABG group has broken the record of all banking scams that have so far occurred on Indian soil. According to ABP News, the CBI has taken cognizance of the scam by registering a case and has arrested eight persons in connection with it. The other concerned agencies are likely to take notice of the crimes shortly and commence their proceedings. As per the CBI, banks defrauded include State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, IDBI Bank, Punjab National Bank and a leading bank in the private sector—ICICI Bank. The Gujarat-based ABG Group has not spared even the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) from being hit by its defrauding tactics. The scam was first exposed on 20 August 2020 when a Deputy AGM of the State Bank of India lodged a complaint against ABG Shipyard Ltd. and ABG International Private Ltd., two of the sister companies of the same group. The ABG Group of companies are engaged in the business of Ship building and ship repairs and refurbishing.

The CBI has recently booked cases against the companies ABG Shipyard Ltd.; ABG International Private Ltd.; Rishi Kamlesh Agarwal, the former Chairman-cum-Managing Director of AGB Group; Santhanam Muthaswamy, former Executive Director of the Group; Ashwin Kumar, Sushil Kumar, Ravi Vimal Nevetia, directors of the ABG Group along with many public servants and unknown persons from different cities and towns. The offences for which cases have been registered fall under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) such as criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, and abuse of official positions, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, and if convicted, each of the accused may face the punishment of a life sentence.

Modus Operandi of the Scam: The ABG Shipyard Ltd. availed huge loans and other credit facilities from banks and diverted the funds to its 98 sister companies in India and abroad. Overseas, the funds were utilized to purchase real estate and shares in the names of its affiliate companies, personal names, and also distributed to some of the relatives and friends of the company directors. Flouting all rules and regulations, funds were transferred from one subsidiary of the company to another, and mere adjustment entries were effected as window dressing to hide the illegalities behind the transactions. Some of the ships built by the group were sold abroad, but loans to the banks were not repaid out of the sale proceeds. According to the FIR, the proportion of fraud suffered by prominent banks in the consortium and other financial institutions in the total scam of 22842 crore rupees are as follows: ICICI Bank—7089 crores; IDBI Bank—3639 crores; State Bank of India—2925 crores; Bank of Baroda—1614 crores; Exim Bank—1327 crores; Punjab National Bank—1244 crores; Indian Overseas Bank—1244 crores; Bank of India—719 crores; LIC—136 crores. This scam has not developed overnight but progressed between 2012 and 2017, but all the concerned vigilant authorities had closed their eyes to it. The CBI has raided 13 locations after registering a case and has seized several documents related to the financial irregularities. As investigations proceeds, the names of several bank officials, more public servants, and some reputed politicians may come to light. Will the Modi government allow the CBI to continue its investigation in full honesty? It is doubtful. There is a general opinion that whenever direct or indirect involvement of his government or politicians of his party or funders to his political party come to light in the scam investigation or whenever competency or performance of his government is called into question, Modi government could trigger some controversial issue to keep the society enmeshed in it to avoid public rage. This is amply clear from the current hijab controversy unleashed at a time when a banking scam of the greatest magnitude in India had to be focussed on. Modi and his team have many arrows, darts, and javelins in the quiver. Time will tell when and which projectile weapon will be released from the string by them.

Whenever footfalls of elections are heard at the door, politics of hatred and enmity raises its ugly head in some form or the other

Whenever footfalls of elections are heard at the door, politics of hatred and enmity raises its ugly head in some form or the other

Whenever footfalls of elections are heard at the door, politics of hatred and enmity raises its ugly head in some form or the other. These days it is not surprising that such politics is played out against the Muslims before every election in India. In the current regime everyone right from the Prime Minister to CMs, ministers to MPs, MLAs, Corporators, regional leaders to street leaders, and others perceive that the first step to political success is to spew venom on the Muslims. This tendency has grown in leaps and bounds after the victory of Modi in the 2014 general elections. Such a proclivity of the persons in public life has terribly ruined the brotherhood matrix of pluralistic India. As a result, not just the Muslims but everyone in the subcontinent has fallen in the flames. Where incidents of the mob lynching of Muslim youths have become common, episodes of Hindu youths subjected to the same human rights abuse are not rare. Where attempts are made to damage the businesses of Muslims there exist reports that the trade and commerce of Hindus have also suffered. The sad part is that the powerful and influential classes have remained silent in playing their role to control the horrifying state of affairs. They expect the affected to take care of themselves. By thinking so they are failing to realize that flames do not have regard for any religious faith or financial status while engulfing the target.

Elections to the legislative assemblies in some states will be held in the coming five to six months. But the eyes of everyone are on the election to be held in Uttar Pradesh. BJP, the present ruling party in the state is busy cleaning up the images of Yogi and Modi and dreaming to the play cards of hatred and communalism. Mr. Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of the state, has kicked off his election campaign by using certain words with a derogatory innuendo that has hurt the feelings of the Muslims obliquely. In one of his speeches two weeks ago Yogi Adityanath while leveling allegations against Mr. Akhilesh Yadav, his predecessor in the office,has said that prior to 2017, the ration distributed by the government for the poor was swallowed up by those who used to say “Abba Jan.” By using the words Abba Jan, a term of endearment for fathers used generally by the Muslims, Mr. Yogi Adityanath has incurred the ire of the Muslims and opposition parties. He did not stop his comments on the ration issue but went on to say that in the previous regime even government jobs meant for the poor were snatched away by the people who used to say Abba Jan. What Yogi Adityanath has tried to convey is that Muslims in the previous regime of Akhilesh Yadav were referring to Mulyam Singh, the patriarch of Samajwadi Party as Abba Jan, and were enjoying benefits at the cost of the denial to the majority community. Non-BJP parties across the board have termed the remarks of Yogi Adityanath as ‘unparliamentary’ and ‘uncivilized’ and have urged him to maintain decorum and be within the ambit of decency in public life. Congress in clear words has asked him where he was when corpses of covid patients were floating in the Ganga river and has questioned his intentions to appear on the scene with the stories of ‘Abba Jan’ when elections are on the horizon.

It is an open secret that the BJP cannot fight any election with an agenda other than communalism and spreading hatred among people. The electoral strategies of the party solely revolve around maligning Muslims and causing polarization of voters. By downgrading Muslims with the concocted stories of ‘ration swallow up’and ‘abbajan’, Yogi is trying to coax the Hindu voters for re-seeking his election as Chief Minister for one more term. With similar tricks and stratagems, BJP fought the latest elections in West Bengal and Delhi. No stone was left unturned by the party to polarize voters on the basis of religion. Every possible attempt was made to depict Muslims in a bad light. But all strategies of the party fell to the ground. Both Modi and Yogi who campaigned for the party in these states had to cut a sorry figure. With the taste of recent defeats in the background, BJP and its leaders are tense with regard to the upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh. It is the critical compulsion of the BJP to give precedence to politics of hatred and communalism to retain its power in Uttar Pradesh, the last bastion to remain in power for long. For consolidating its vote bank, the party is expected to employ all possible kinds of trickeries, maneuvers, tactics, and ploys along with money and muscle powers. The stories of ‘ration’ and ‘abba jan’ appear to be minuscule fragments of mega plansfor seizing the power once again in Uttar Pradesh.

The jibes Yogi Adityanath is taking today at Muslims are akin to some expressions used by Modi in 2017 for the Assembly Elections in Uttar Pradesh. The words were ’Qabrastan and Shamshan’. What Modi meant by it was that when graveyards for Muslims are granted in villages crematoria should be established as well. When electricity is supplied in villagesfull day on the days of Eid, such a facility should be available for Hindus too on the occasion of Holy. Though these were not new issues, the logic of giving a religious complexion to them worked well and fetched landslide victory to the party. The coining of jargons of ‘ration’ and ‘abbajan’ for election purposes appears to have been learned by Yogi Adityanath from Modi. However, the intended influence of the new jargon did not last long. The vehement opposition and protests for the jibes by leaders of opposition parties and Muslims across the country punctured the balloons of arrogance and pride of Yogi Adityanath. The politics through jargons of ‘Abbajana’ and ‘ration’ cannot hide the failures of Modi and Yogi governments in controlling inflation, unemployment, Covid pandemic. Today both of them are unpopular for their dishonesty, irresponsibility, and indifference. BJP leaders know well that talking about real issues would damage the prospects of the party. So the last hope of the party to retain power is to play communal cards. The political planks with misleading issues of Aligarh, Abba Jaan, ration etc, have failed miserably. Now, the party may whip up the issues of Ram Mandir and Article 370. Possibilities of riots before elections cannot also be ruled out. The dispute regarding the Eidgah in Mathura may be driven to make it occupy the headlines. There is no strong leader in the opposition to counter the BJP. No doubt Akhilesh Yadav is a ray of hope, but he lacks the skills to counter BJP by taking the issues head-on in the manner done by Mamta Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal. Amidst all plans to mislead voters and cause confusion the glad tidings are more and more people are coming to know the game plans and true intentions of the party. The resentment and opposition graphs towards the party and its leaders in the state are rapidly moving upwards. If a strong anti-incumbency wave runs across the state in the wake of prevailing bad administration, then no one can prevent BJP from tasting defeat in the upcoming elections.