Naroda Patiya not a victory for secular democracy but victory of resilience, of the survivors’ and activsts (Farah Naqvi)

From Farah Naqvi, Member, National Advisory Council
Date: Thu, Aug 30, 2012 at 8:09 PM

Friends – while absorbing the news about Maya Kodnani, MLA of Gujarat my mind went back 10 years ago, and I guess I just wanted to share with friends on this list serve a sobering record (attached) of the meeting some of us (myself, Syeda Hameed, Sheba George, Ruth Manorama, Malini Ghose, Mari Thekaekara) had with Kodnani in her home in Ahmedabad on March 29, 2002, in the aftermath of the carnage, during our all-women’s fact-finding for what became the Survivors Speak report. Back then, though already named in the charge-sheet, Kodnani was arrogant and eerily complacent, barely disguising an overwhelming sense of her impunity. We had left the meeting angry and shaken. So, this huge conviction (for murder and criminal conspiracy!), this denting of the impunity enjoyed by the political class, feels truly wonderous and long overdue.

But to me this does not represent a victory (or vindication) of the criminal justice system or even a victory for ‘secular democracy’, as many public commentators are claiming. Everyone was cheerfully saying the same thing in January 2008 when Bilkis Bano’s truth was vindicated by 12 convictions (for gang rape and murder) in a Mumbai sessions court, and I publicly said the same thing then that I say now - responsive laws and a fair justice system should not need 10 years of an active, army of survivors and activists to make it deliver! – certainly not for the kind of unspeakable crimes that took place here. A functioning secular democracy should not have to make its religious minorities work so hard to snatch bits of justice here and there. 1983 (Nellie), 1984 (Delhi), and so many others still remain utterly out of reach.

This is, to me, a victory of resilience, of the survivors’ deep hunger for justice, the moral courage of witnesses, and the single-minded perseverance of human rights activists and organizations.

My salute to all.

Farah