The Vishwa Hindu Parishad organised a “silent dharna” here on Saturday to demonstrate its solidarity with the Hindus convicted in the Naroda-Patiya and other 2002 communal riots-related cases in Gujarat.
Led by the VHP international president Pravin Togadia, more than 300 sadhus, VHP workers and others sat on a dharna at the busy Income Tax Circle here for several hours with black ribbons covering their mouths.
Later in a statement, Dr Togadia said the “dharna” was to show their support for the 112 Hindus sentenced in various riot-related cases, including the Naroda-Patiya case in which the court adopted the American system to award sentences ranging from 24 years to life term.
“Why was the American system never applied against those torturing lakhs of Hindus in different parts of the country since 1947,” he asked. Such elements were now enjoying government protection, he said.