The 10-page resignation letter of Mr. D.G. Vanzara, former IG of Gujarat, who is accused in several cases of fake encounter, and has been behind bars for the last six years, has opened a can of worms. It is bound to bring out several skeletons out of the dirty cupboard of BJP’s politics in Gujarat.
The strongest case of extra-judicial killing by Mr. Vanzara is related to killing of Sohrabuddin and his wife Kausar Bi. They were abducted from Andhra Pradesh, clandestinely brought to Ahmedabad and mercilessly eliminated. Poor Kausar Bi paid with her life for only being witness to her husband’s abduction, which culminated in his death. CBI has a fool proof case against Mr. Vanzara; and in spite of scores of his sympathisers in the corrupt police force, it appears to be very difficult for him to escape the noose.
In the letter he has directly accused Amit Shah as the evil spirit who is responsible for his troubles. He apparently praises Mr. Narendra Modi but his veiled threat may be read between the lines directed towards none other than Mr. Modi. He bitterly remarks that it was his and his officers’ support which enabled the Government of Gujarat to fight terrorism. He says he and his officers, between 2002 and 2007, acted and performed their duties in compliance with the conscious policy of Gujarat government. He further says the perusal of zero tolerance policy towards “jihadi” terrorism was devised by the Gujarat government. He also says the Modi government did everything possible to save the neck of Amit Shah but left the loyal officers to their fate. Vanzara has issued a clear warning to Mr. Modi that they have to swim together and will drown together, suggesting that Mr. Modi should decide whether he wants to swim ashore by saving the officers or drown along with them.
This challenging letter has put Mr. Modi in a very difficult position. Now he has to explain what his role was in all the fake encounters. If Modi prefers to keep mum and look the other way, Mr. Vanzara may further spill the beans and it will be the death of Modi’s dream of becoming the Prime Minister of India.
Now BJP may be rethinking about its policy of projecting a tainted person like Modi as the Prime Ministerial candidate and appointing another equally tainted person like Shah as the election manger in U.P.
If it is proved that Mr. Vanzara and other officers acted at the behest of Modi and his government, there is no reason why they only should be punished and Mr. Modi left scot-free. Perhaps the nemesis is at hand. God’s mill grinds slowly but grinds well.