By Manzar Bilal, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: Maulana Vastanvi may praise Modi’s Gujarat for ‘no discrimination against minorities’, but the factual evidences tell a different story –.atrocities and discrimination against Muslims and lawlessness are rampant in the state. Interestingly, the latest incident of state police cruelty on Muslims has happened at Bardoli area of Vastanvi’s home district Surat.
On 20th Jan. 2011, Maulana Vstanavi’s praising words for Modi hit the headlines while on the same day several Muslims including children and women were arrested, abused, tortured and threatened by the police in the Bardoli city of Surat wherein falls Vastan – the village of Maulana Ghulam Muhammed Vastanvi. Their only crime was that they along with secular minded Hindus were preparing to celebrate the Republic Day together without any association of the state government.
The office bearers of an NGO named Noorie Parivaar (NP) disclosed the case with documentary evidences on 3rd Feb. at a press conference in New Delhi.
“Our organization has been working for the unity of people in the country. As part of our unity programs, we have been organizing programs to celebrate Independence Day and Republic Day every year at different places wherein our members from across the country and cutting across the religious boundary participate” said Kishor Kumar,NP President of Gujarat province.
“This year we planned to celebrate Republic Day at Kranti Maidan in Pulsana near Bardoli of Surat district. Police asked us not to celebrate R-Day with Muslims but we continued preparing. On 20th Jan.2011, a Police team came to the site and arrested our 16 members mostly Muslims including a 2-year old boy and one and half year old girl. They were abused and tortured and then booked falsely for disrespecting national flag, robbing mobiles and illegally gathering” alleged Kishor Kumar.
“This all happened on the indication of RSS member Suraj Pandy because he does not want that Hinds and Muslims come together. When we reached police station for the release of the arrested people, police refused saying they cannot be released before R-Day. They were put in the jail. We appealed to Jail superintendent to release minor children but it fell on the deaf” he added.
He further said that they contacted Commissioner and complained about the rude manner of police but he also defended the police and justified the illegal detention a legal action. “We filed petition in High Court against it where Jail superintendent said that he was unaware that there were any minor children among those arrested” he added.
“After R-Day was over, the people behind the arrest contacted us and asked for Rs 70 thousand per head for the release of the arrested people. They said they have setting in Police as well as courts so they can do this. Otherwise, it will be very difficult for the arrested people to come out of jail soon” he added.
The NP decided to give them some money to know about others who are indulged in the game. “When we talked to them, we came to know that not only police but senior officers, lawyers and even some judges are involved” he added.
Mr. Kishor gave a CD to the reporters which contains the telephonic conversation between the member of NP and the RSS member which revealed the story of lawlessness in Gujarat.
However, on 1st Feb. the accused were released on bail by High Court.Meanwhile, they filed complaints in High Court and Supreme Court that they were abused and tortured during the illegal custody.
In his comment on whole dilemma, Supreme Court Lawyer Mr. B.S.Bilowaria said: “It is shameful matter for our country, the largest democracy in the world, that minorities are discriminated by government machinery.”
“On one hand BJP is shouting that they were not allowed to hoist tricolor at Lal Chowk in Kashmir and on the other hand BJP ruled sate did not allow the Muslims to unfurl the same flag. Isn’t it obvious contrast between the BJP’s act and claim?” he asked.
Mr. Bilowaria, who is also NP president of Delhi province, urged the government to take tough action to stop harassment and atrocities against Muslims and other weaker sections of the society.