Gujarat Court Cancels bail for Mayaben Kodnani: Time to bring her to book

Prashant
A Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace
Post Box No. 4050, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad 380 009, Gujarat, India
Tel. : +91 (079) 66522333, 2745 5913
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www.humanrightsindia.in

“Religious fanatics don’t belong to any religion and they are no less than terrorists”

That Mayaben Kodnani was involved in the Gujarat Carnage of 2002 was never in doubt. That the Gujarat High Court has cancelled her anticipatory bail and that in all likelihood, she will soon be arrested will surely come as a relief to many of the victim survivors, eagerly waiting for some signs of justice, after more than seven long years.

It is imperative therefore, that even at this late stage, the wheels of justice move expeditiously and all those responsible for the dastardly acts of 2002 are brought to book immediately.

On 21st February 2009, the Gujarat Government finally filed an affidavit in the Gujarat High Court on the basis of findings of the Special Investigating Team (SIT) appointed by the Supreme Court challenging the anticipatory bail given to Kodnani by the Lower Court. The affidavit very categorically stated that, “inspite of being an MLA, Kodnani was a leader of the mob instigating them to commit the crimes and in fact even fired from her pistol”. True to its tradition, the BJP Government of Gujarat did not think it appropriate to ask her to resign and in fact has been shielding her and others, all these years.

The BJP and their other constituents in the Sangh Parivar, will as usual, do their best to turn this adversity into an opportunity, portraying her and the others as “martyrs”, and continue with their agenda of hate and divisiveness.

It is therefore fitting, that atleast now the law enforcement mechanisms of the country hold Modi and his cohorts directly responsible for the killing of innocent people, for their continued attacks against minorities and for their utter disregard for the rule of law.

The Gujarat High Court in its judgment has rightly stated “Religious fanatics don’t belong to any religion and they are no less than terrorists”. It is time that civil society comes out in large numbers, acknowledges the pain of the Gujarat Carnage of 2002, ensures that such fascist forces are no longer allowed to sabotage the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Indian Constitution and above all, never ever elects them to any office or position.

Fr. Cedric Prakash sj

Director

27th March 2009