Tehelka sting operation has once again laid bare the naked truth of Gujarat’s state sponsored anti-Muslim carnage of 2002. What makes it different is that the criminals are seen bragging about and confessing their crimes before the spy camera. This has brought before common TV viewers and newspaper readers a new equation: RSS, BJP, VHP and Bajrang Dal = killings, murders, rapes and arsons.
The crimes have been brought to light in the words of the perpetrators themselves. It is very unfortunate that there is no trace of remorse on the part of the criminals for the heinous crimes they committed against humanity. They had bigger plans to enact the massacre on a larger scale. What they could achieve in the Gujarat laboratory of Hindutva was a limited one. If they are given the opportunity, they are ready to implement it on a bigger scale in a more gruesome manner. So deep-rooted is hatred against an entire community in the minds and hearts of the fanatics. This hatred is the biggest source of communal strife in our country. Unfortunately there is no sign of any rethinking on the part of Sangh Parivar to change its strategy of creating fear, promoting hatred and implementing mayhem. The sooner the Parivar perceives the inherent danger in this policy, for the country and for itself, it is better for all concerned.
The TV viewers watched in horror criminal after criminal confessing in unambiguous words how he killed, hacked to death and butchered hapless men, women and even children. Just see an example: This is Babu Bajrangi of Bajrang Dal who revealed that he collected 23 revolvers from Hindus in Naroda Patiya for use in the massacre. He gives details how some victims, who had taken refuge in a huge pit, were surrounded, then oil was poured and burning tyres were thrown upon them and all were burnt to death. Then he gleefully describes how a diesel tanker was rammed against Naroda Patiya mosque and it was set on fire. He reports how he, from time to time, reported to Jaideep Patel, VHP general secretary, the number of people who were killed. He remembers that he made phone calls to him 11 or 12 times. He promptly reported his “valiant deeds” to Gordhan Zadaphia, the Home Minister of Gujarat, who advised him to run and hide for safety. Listen to his blood-curdling, yet-unfulfilled wish: “I don’t care if I am hanged. Give me two days…. I will finish them off…. at least 25-50,000 should die….” He also describes how a pregnant woman’s womb was split open and the unborn child killed. Having killed scores of people, he, to quote his own words, “felt like Maharana Pratap” and called up Home Minister, gave him the report, and went to have a sound sleep. You can read all these horrifying confessions of criminals in the latest issue of Tehelka (November 3, 2007).
Further, you can also read the shameful story of collusion of law-enforcing agencies and guardians of law and order with these criminals. Indeed it is the most shameful story of our time.
It is high time Supreme Court took suo motto notice of the expose, called for the relevant tapes and records and proceeded against the self-confessed culprits. If our Government and judiciary do not go after the culprits, it would be a permanent blot on our democracy.
Besides, this is the duty of civil society and its democratic institutions, especially media, to expose and fight the forces of communalism and fascism, who are hell bent on unleashing a flood of hatred and murder. If we do not act immediately, terror may become a reoccurring phenomenon and we may have to hang our heads in shame permanently.