But it did not happen in the case of murderers and the instigators of Gujarat. However the victims of Naroda Patiya in Gujarat’s capital have the satisfaction that the perpetrators were given exemplary punishments. If other governments had acted tough and law and order machinery had done its duty in the thousands of anti-Muslim riots, the recurring disaster would have vanished in no time.
Naroda Patiya massacre of 97 defenceless and innocent Muslims (including 35 women and 36 children) 10 years ago was perhaps the most ghastly incident which was perpetrated under the approving gaze of Narendra Modi.
The special court in its landmark judgment has punished the kingpin Maya Kodnani, then MLA and afterwards cabinet minister of Modi who was “tremendously favoured by police.” VHP leader Babu Bajrangi, who accepted in Tehelka sting operation that “he came back after he killed them, called the home minister and went to sleep” has been sentenced to spend his remaining years of life behind bars. Other 30 criminals have been sentenced to 14 years to 21 years for their crimes against humanity.
The judge has rightly observed that communal riots are like cancer on constitutional secularism and Naroda Patiya was a black chapter in the history of Indian Constitution. The judge also observed that the carnage, which was pre-planned, was a serious case of human rights violation when 97 persons were killed brutally within a day which included hapless women, children and aged persons. The climax of this inhuman act of violence was reflected in murder of an infant, who was 20 days old.
The leaders of organisations who orchestrated this carnage and who always spew poison would remain with their heads hung in shame for ever if they have any sense of humanity left in them. Even now there is room for reform if they accept their guilt and make amends. This judgment sends a clear message to all communal animals that humanity and the judiciary have awakened and there is no respite for communal criminals.
Some victims are of the opinion that the kingpin Maya Kodnani had been in constant touch, during the massacre day, with state home minister Gordhan Zadaphia, police inspector in-charge of Naroda K.K. Mysorewala, Commissioner of Police M.K. Tandon and several other officers in Narendra Modi’s office. Rule of law and justice demand that all these persons should be sued for not only dereliction of duty but also for hobnobbing with the criminals.
As regards the butcher of Gujarat and his mentors in Delhi, victims feel, that the long arm of law may not be strong enough to reach them. In this regard they are waiting for divine retribution.