UK's resumption of ties with Narendra Modi a cruel blow to the causes of justice for the massacre’s victims (Praful Bidwai)

(From: The Guardian, 17 October 2012)

Last week, the British government asked its high commissioner in India to meet Narendra Modi, ending 10 years of international isolation for Gujarat’s chief minister. Modi was delighted, of course, immediately tweeting "God is great".

His industries minister instantly promised to "fast-track" British investment projects. But many Indian political parties, including the ruling Congress, parties of the left, and Muslim organisations, have sharply criticised the decision. Ever since the massacre of more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, in 2002, Modi has been accused by jurists, secular political leaders and civil society in India, as well as by the governments of many countries, of taking no action to prevent the violence, delaying the deployment of police to protect victims and failing to investigate and punish those responsible for the killings. Despite his repeated denials of each of these accusations, Modi is a potent symbol of militant defiance of secularism and constitutional-democratic principles, and remains greatly feared by Muslims.

The decision by the UK to resume contact with him is seen as a cruel blow to the causes of justice for the massacre’s victims (which included three British citizens), and of non-discrimination against India’s 180 million non-Hindus.

Up till now, British officials have followed a "working policy" of no contact with Modi’s government "because of our concerns over what happened in Gujarat". Modi was also refused a visa by the US and EU. Modi’s global isolation has helped to sustain domestic civil society pressure to bring the massacre’s perpetrators to justice. This in turn encouraged the Indian supreme court to intervene, by asking the Gujarat government to reopen criminal cases closed for "lack of evidence", and transferring some trials to Maharashtra.

The new British stand has been rationalised on the ground that it would allow the UK "to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest and to explore opportunities for closer co-operation, in line with the … objective of improving bilateral relations …". In reality, it will deepen India’s social and political rifts, and strengthen Modi’s Hindu-chauvinist Bharatiya Janata party, for whose leadership he is making an aggressive bid.

FULL TEXT AT: http://alturl.com/o6uze

Also available at:
http://www.sacw.net/article2929.html