The Gujarat High Court on Feb. 8 came down heavily upon the Narendra Modi government for “inaction and negligence” on its part during the 2002 Gujarat riots that led to large-scale destruction of religious structures. A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and Justice J B Pardiwala made these observations, while ordering compensation for over 500 religious structures in the state. The court was hearing a petition filed by Islamic Relief Committee of Gujarat (IRCG).
The government was responsible for repair and compensation for such places, it further said. The court said that when the government had paid compensation for destruction of houses and commercial establishments, it should also pay compensation for religious structures.
The court also ordered that principal judges of 26 districts of the state will receive the applications for compensation of religious structures in their respective districts and decide on it. They have been asked to send their decisions to HC within six months.
Various organisations and NGOs, including Islamic Relief Committee Gujarat, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Association for Protection of Civil Rights, Prashant, and Indian American Muslim Council have welcomed the High Court verdict, terming it as ‘historic’ and ‘landmark’.
Welcoming the HC verdict as ‘historic and landmark’, Dr. Shakeel Ahmad, Chairman IRCG said, “It can be stated that the Hon’ble High Court has accepted the petition and all contentions made therein, particularly about failure and inaction on the part of the State Government, both in protecting the places of worships and payment of compensation. Further, the State Government’s defiance of not placing the Reports of NHRC before the State Legislative Assembly has also been seriously deprecated.”
In a Press statement on Feb. 8, JIH Secretary General Nusrat Ali termed the HC decision as one fulfilling the requirements of equity and justice and an important step towards rendering justice to Muslim victims of the carnage. Expressing sadness on the 2002 riots once again, the JIH leader said the Narendra Modi-led BJP government in the state not only did not take any action to stop the destruction of lives and properties but also did not consider any compensation for the great destruction of Muslim minority. Mr. Ali also expressed his strong hope that the state government, acting upon the High Court order, would take immediate measures to rebuild and rebuild the mosques and other religious places that were destroyed or damaged during the riots.
Prof. K.A. Siddique Hassan, General Secretary, Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), in a statement, observed that the Gujarat High Court’s decision, is a “Historical Decision” and should be appreciated. He also congratulated the Islamic Relief committee, Gujarat, Advocate Yusuf H. Muchala, Advocate MTM Hakeem and others for their sincere efforts in this regard.
Fr. Cedric Prakash sj, Director Ahmedabad-based NGO Prashant, said the High Court has rightly held the Gujarat Government responsible for their “inaction and negligence to prevent the 2002 riots.”
“This judgement surely comes as a relief for the victims and survivors, for those fighting for justice and for all those who cherish the secular fabric and the diversity of our country and wish to preserve it. Hopefully this judgement will lead to exposing the role that many powerful people played in the Carnage of 2002 and ensure the triumph of truth and justice in Gujarat!” Fr. Prakash added.