The Gujarat government has constituted a judicial commission, headed by Retd Justice B J Shethna, to probe allegations of ghettoisation of population along religious lines in the state. The Commission has been asked to complete its inquiry and submit its report to the state government before January 31, 2011. The government said the “allegations were not based on scientific study. Such allegations and unscientific conclusions create divisions among the citizens,” it said. The Commission is to inquire square meters covered by the people following different religions as on August 15, 1947 and their polarisation and migration taking place every ten years after August 15, 1947 in the state along with the total population, names and the size of such areas.
However, a human rights group, Prashant, has demanded immediate withdrawal of the commission. While it appears to be an exercise to prove wrong the allegations of polarisation on the state government, Father Cedric Prakash, Director of Prashant, said in a statement released on July 4, “The very nature and tone of this so-called commission of inquiry is bound to target the minorities of the state and add to the already existing fear among these groups. Further, it’s bound to polarise even more. It will make minorities sitting ducks (because of minority mapping) for the hate propaganda and violence by right wing Hindu groups, who have the patronage of the state government.”
Earlier in 1999, the Gujarat government had initiated a survey of Muslims and Christians of the state, which was challenged in Gujarat High Court. In a landmark order of February that year, Justice MR Calla maintained that, “Once this country has adopted the Constitution, we have to abide by the same, which is the fountain source of law and if any survey or census is to be made or any information is sought to be gathered with regard to the criminal activities or for other allied purposes, may be as a part of routine exercise, cannot be based on a communal footing”. Father Prakash cited this order to prove such an inquiry against the constitution. The HC also observed, “May it be a routine exercise for any purpose including the purpose of collecting information on items mentioned in the facsimile messages in question, there cannot be a religion or community-wise classification to identify criminals, from amongst the members of Indian society”