Gujarat Riots: Narendra Modi Evading Court Orders?

Gujarat's Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, had been summoned by the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) on March 21, 2010  in connection with the 2002 Gujarat riots case. Modi, however, failed to report for the questioning. Official sources claim that Modi had been seeking legal alternatives to the summons by SIT, explicitly indicating his attempts to evade the issue. It must be noted that this was the first time that the Gujarat Chief Minister was summoned for questioning concerning the riots that took place eight years ago. The summoning by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was initiated in response to a complaint filed by Zakia Jaffery, the wife of former MP Eshan Jaffrey, who was killed in the 2002 Gulburg society riots, along with 69 others.

What Happened During the Gujarat Riots?

The Gujarat riots, which broke out in February 2002, claimed over 1000 lives. The riots were primarily attributed to Godhra Train Burning incident, which claimed the lives of 58 Hindu Kar Sevaks. The fire is believed to have been instigated by a Muslim mob. This incident triggered large-scale communal riots between Muslims and Hindus. Narendra Modi, who held the post of Chief Minister of Gujarat at the point, is alleged to have played a significant role in anti-Muslim conspiracy. In fact, the US revoked Modi’s visa during the following year, citing that Modi was responsible for violation of religious freedom, under the International Religious Freedom Act, 1998. 

There was public outrage and widespread appeal for Modi to resign as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, following the Gujarat riots. Although, opponents succeeded in attaining this, Modi was reelected chief minister in the subsequent state re-elections.

Failure to report to the SIT questioning has stirred a hornet's nest.  Many view it as a clear indication of Narendra Modi’s intention to escape answerability. In fact, BJP spokespersons and Modi supporters are also dodging the issue blatantly. BJP spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy, on being questioned about Modi’s plans to depose before the SIT, gave an incoherent reply, stating "The government of Gujarat has made it clear that it shall act as per the law. The need of the hour is to collect hard evidence to disallow Modi to avoid and escape the law."

An ordinary man who tries to escape the law is penalized in a very strong manner by the cops and the courts in this country. It seems like a strange coincidence that when the top political brass is involved, both the cops and the legal system take a rather long time in acknowledging the gravity of the situation and then take a longer time to penalize  such lack of accountability as a lapse in leadership.