By TCN News,
Aligarh: On the eve of 8th anniversary of Gujarat riots, a group of intellectuals in Aligarh today sent a memorandum to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh seeking his intervention for deliverance of justice to the victims. They demanded that “Gujarat Genocide-2002 should be treated at par with Anti-Sikh Riots-1984 and compensation should be provided to victims on the same scale.”
The Millat Bedari Muhim Committee, Aligarh, sent the memorandum through the district magistrate.
“On 27th February, 2002, Sabarmati Express turned into a burning train at Godhra in Gujarat. In the most condemnable action, complete coach of the train was put on fire. It was followed by the largest and well documented genocide of Muslims in Gujarat and the most shocking fact is that a democratically elected government engineered it. There are clear evidences that Narendra Modi government not only actively supported it but directed the whole genocide,” the memorandum reads.
“Large number of genocide affected people are still either untraceable or not willing to return to their original habitat. Gujarat is still simmering with fear of Hindutva. In government schemes including rehabilitation, open communalization may be noted. Media reports are suggesting that witnesses of genocide are either threatened or bought over,” it further says.
The group of intellectuals put three demands before the prime minister:
Gujarat Genocide- 2002 should be treated at par with Anti-Sikh Riots- 1984 and compensation should be provided to victims on the same scale.
Safe return of the victims who are still living in camps should be ensured by Constituting a National Committee for overseeing the rehabilitation.
Central government has not taken any action so far, though eight years have passed. The government must come forward to initiate action against culprits of genocide.
The group emphasized that ‘justice delayed is justice denied’ and expressed hope that UPA government will come forward to deliver the much awaited justice.
Signatories to the memorandum include: Prof. Abul Kalam Qasmi, Professor, Dept. of Urdu, AMU, Prof. Humayun Murad, Member, AMU Court, Prof. Razaullah Khan, Chairman, Deptt. Of Civil Engg., AMU, Jasim Mohammad, president, Millat Bedari Muhim Committee, N. Jamal Ansari, journalist and Elizabeth Marriam, Sub- Editor & PRO, Neo Aligarian Weekly Tabloid.