Gujarat: A shame on the religion called humanity

[Shruti Marathe]

This is one of the mildest of reported official fact finding reports submitted by NGOs consisting of all communities (READ Hindus/Muslims/Christians/Sikhs). The others are so hard hitting that it would make a person\'s blood boil over... Can\'t you all see that these b******* are just instigating you in the name of religion? Just so that they can have power and money? How can educated/literate/enlightened people turn their face away from facts?HOW? I work for a NGO and I was there meeting the people who suffered.

THE MASS MURDER OF EX-CONGRESS MP EHSAN JAFFRI AND HIS FAMILY: Is This the base of a Hindu rashtra????

<br>Incident:

<br>From 7.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on Thursday, February 28, a 20-25,000 strong mob surrounded the Chamanpura area in the heart of Ahmedabad city. The FIR lodged by KG Erda of the Meghani Nagar police station (Communalism Combat has a copy) gives a blow-by-blow account of the utter failure of the police to put off the assailants and protect the residents.

<br>The FIR admits that the arson and destruction began from that morning itself. What is not contained in the FIR, but is a fact to which an eyewitness survivor and two Yuva Congress members were witness, is that the commissioner of police, Ahmedabad, PC Pandey, visited Ehsan Jaffri at 10.30 a.m. sharp, and assured him of police reinforcements.

<br>The CP stands directly indicted as he did not keep his promise of sending police help. The few men who were deputed from the Meghani Nagar chowky, merely watched as 70 persons were butchered and burned. The 10-12 women among the victims were brutally gang raped. The centre of an Indian commercial city saw a medieval and macabre dance of death, humiliation and revenge heaped on women, children and men.

<br>Chronology:

February 28:

10.30 a.m.: Police commissioner Pandey, Ambalal Nadia, the Congress mahamantri, Ward No. 19 and Kannulal Solanki from Ward No. 20 visit Jaffri and give him an assurance that they would send reinforcements and he would be fully protected.

<br>10.35 a.m.: The Zahir Bakery and an auto-rickshaw are burnt.
<br>11.15-11.30 a.m.: Beginning of stone throwing at Gulberg Society.

<br>12.15-12.30 p.m.: Stones, acid bulbs, bottles, petrol bombs are thrown at Gulberg Society from the rear side of the complex of buildings and bungalows.

<br>12.30-12.45 p.m.: From the terrace of an adjacent bungalow belonging to a non-Muslim, there is heavy stone throwing, including big boulders. This caused the biggest damage because without this attack the residents might have been able to protect themselves.

<br>1-1.15 p.m.: The volley of huge stones, plus acid bulbs and burning cloth balls continues. At 1 p.m., one Yusuf is caught, cut up and torched.

<br>2.30-2.45 p.m.: Amid shouts of \"Ghusijao,\" suddenly the gate at the rear end of the Society, near the railway tracks is broken down.

<br>2.45 p.m.: Anwar is killed. The accused bring in logs from the nearby Sansar Bakery, prepare 4 pyres; Anwar is cut up in pieces and burnt.

<br>3-3.30 p.m.: Ehsan Jaffri is pulled out of his house, brutally treated for 45 minutes, stripped, paraded naked, and asked to say, \"Vande Manatram!\" and \"Jai Shri Ram!\" He refuses. His fingers are chopped off, he is paraded around in the locality, badly injured. Next, his hands and feet are chopped off. He is then dragged, a fork-like instrument clutching his neck, down the road before being thrown into the fire. After this, Shafi Mohammed Munawar Sheikh is also cut into three pieces and burnt alive. Jaffri was killed along with his three brothers and two nephews.

<br>3.30-4.30 p.m.: 10-12 women are first raped, then cut into pieces with guptis and then thrown into the fire. There is one survivor.

<br>4.30-5.00 p.m.: The police finally arrives.

<br>5.20 p.m.: The police party trying to rescue the people is stoned.

<br>7.00 p.m.: The survivors are taken out of the place under police escort.

<br>Ten to twelve gas cylinders were exploded that day. According to eyewitness accounts and the full list of dead and missing persons attached to the FIR, in all 60-70 persons have died — 49 from the society and 10-12 from outside who had come to seek shelter at Jaffri’s place. This is not the figure mentioned officially. (59, is what the official figure released.)

<br>Exclusive documents obtained by CC give minute details of the addresses of the accused. So far, only 19 out of the 25 persons named by eye witnesses have been arrested.

<br>\"We will not rest till we have justice,\" a survivor told the author of this report. \"If there is to be any hope or will left in this country and its people, we will get justice. Or else there is no hope,\" another added.

<br>Manoj Kumar, a neighbour, said: \"They pulled the babies out with the men, then poured petrol over them and burnt them. Police stood back.\" PC Pandey, Ahmedabad’s police commissioner, shrugged and said: \"We were outnumbered.\"(The Times of India, March 2).

<br>There are 25-30 accused identified by eyewitnesses and survivors. As against this only 19 persons were arrested.

[sri]

Hi Shruthi This is the time when Gujarat is trying to come to normality. you are starting the news once again. i dont know why? please try to see the new world and try to start a new life.the rehabilitation to those affected should be 100% now .please concentrate on that.

[Shruti Marathe]

Hi Sri,
You are absolutely right. There is no use raking up the issue after all has been done. But is\'nt that a very convenient way of washing our hands off things? The barbaric acts of these butchers need to be first condoned and then they should be brought to justice. Presently they are all roaming around with their head held high. And they are all big names from VHP/RSS/BD. The world should know the high degree of crimes they\'ve committed. For today no one is condemning them.
You say rehabilitation should be done for the victims. Do you know how it is being done? Refugee Camps are housing lakhs of people who are living in absolutely disgusting conditions. People do not have anywhere to go because their houses/businesses have been completely destroyed. The few who have some remnants of a home dared to go back. They were told in no uncertain terms that they are not welcome back to their localities. People are starving because their breadwinners have been cut to pieces. And what does Narendra Modi say? He says, those leaving in the camps are not his or his Government\'s responsibility. He has ordered the closing down of all these camps even though they are costing the Govt nothing; all the costs are being borne by Muslim Individuals or International agencies. Such is the degree of justice prevailant in this land. Satyamev Jayate? I don\'t think so...Mera Bharat Mahan...BAH!!

[Muqlis]

It is more horrifying than Gujarat incidents to see people around who suggests to concentrate on rehabilitation. I wonder how a human being, irrespective of any religion, caste or creed, can remain unaffected and react so damn coldly after having read scores of reports on this barbaric attack on humanity ?? - mind you humanity not minority. Anybody with a little sense of humanity left in them would condemn this act at every second and make every effort to ensure that the responsible group realises that this is the most serious and unpardonable SIN they have committe and to see to it that they meet their fate in the most worst form. These people belong to no religion and no community - THEY ARE wild animals in disguise who deserve nothing but even more brutal and horrific death.

[Raaks]

Hello Shruthi, Agreed tehrs no point in raking up issues meant to br forgotten but what I noticed in your article is you focussed so much on one particular section of people but don\'t you think Hindus have equally suffered? I don\'t mean to be partial nor am I a hard core supporter of any Hindu preadching party but I think it should not be forgotten that jsut like the Islamic religion sect the Hindus have equally humiliated. How come you haven\'t researched on that?? No matetr which religion sufeferd these are all basically human beings who sufefred. So lets not divide and say a particular religion or a particular section suffered..Give it a thought!!!!

[sri]

Hi Shruti dont think now that I am turning the topic.But one point I have to add.What about the reservation system in India.I am very badly affected by the reservation system. but note that I never directly or indirectly followed racism in my life.THE MISTAKE DONE MY ANCESTERS AFFECT ME.What I can do now? Tell me one solution.

[truth]

What Hindus suffered??? Just compare the percentages...a very small number of hindus were killed and more than 5000 Muslims were killed...see any reports you want

[to TRUTH]

what do you say about the hundreds of people burnt alive in the train which actually instigated the whole issue?? Those were all HIndus weren\'t they?? to start with??

[Raaks]

Hello truth, What do you mean by saying the percentage of Hindus suffered is low?? Does it matter? Irrespective of the percentages PEOPLE suffered and again its not religion oriented. Is it ok for any person to suffer or is the pain felt different based on the percentages? Isn\'t it a tragedy that innocent people suffer and pay the cost with their lives for soem FANATIC person. No matter what religion you belong to, Gujarat incident is one of the most embarassing, tragic and unforgetable incident to Humanity. Forgive and Forget the Past has been in the Indian culture for years now. So I would say forget what happened in Gujarat and get along. Raking up the issue and raising controversies on issues like this is not right for mankind. It doesnt help the situation nor does it help anybody!!!

[Shruti]

Wait a minute, Sir. It is common knowledge that kar sevaks were being an absolute nuisance to all passengers in the train not just that day but thru the entire month. And it is again an eyewitness account that the kar sevaks abused and refused to pay a tea vendor at Godhra station and when his 16 year old daughter intervened, she was abducted and taken into the compartment...That\'s how a crowd started gathering and stopped the train and asked for the return of the girl...Monsters they were all. Jingoistic, instigated in the name of religion, in the name of Ayodhya, in the name of a noble soul like Ram. I wonder how Ram would have reacted to see his disciples act like animals; no, worse than animals. But still me and all like minded people belonging to both communities stood up and condemned this killing. But tell me something. What relation did those people have with Ihsan Jaffri? Did he go and burn those kar sevaks in the train? Just read that article about how he was killed...does anyone deserve to be killed like this? What if tomorrow someone kills you in the same manner because of what happend to Jaffri? Will he be justified? Stop having double standards man. If you have the courage, stand up and condemn the b****** who did this...

[Srinu]

First of all, our scriptures are not just abt \"SELF\". they are more of realization of truth. How can one be pure (as you say the scriptures preach) if one lets go of basic ideals such as helping the needy and so on. If one knows the truth, he will not be so worried abt life and death. And as for your summarization of our treatment to women, no other religion gives as much importance and respect to the female form as Hinduism does. It talks about worshiping them. We need to stop blaming our shortcomings on religions and/or our ancestors. And lets not generalize about the religions. There are cowards everywhere in every religion. There are evil do-ers in every religion. I am not condoning anything nor am I trying to defend anyone. But there have been so many cases of genocide in all parts of the world, inflicted by every religion.

[Guest]

what a wonderful treatment was give to female forms at gujarat!!! you shud be ashamed of saying this. wht u r syng is respect shld given to only hindu women, and all other women shld be treated like animals. is that so?

[sri]

dear shruti or(whoever it is), If you beleive in killing and retaliation , then we have to start from the year 1300S when Arab invasion started over sind area of present day pakistan. If we think in your fashion can you imagine the no of people humiliated,tortured,and killed since 1300 to 1887.Leave it.In the time of Aurangazeep do you know the OPEN social discriminisations? torture to the ladies and decent families? Who will answer these?So the thinking now should be to cool the tensions.Dont flame the issue.

[sri the democrateM]

please tell your comments over the treatment of women in AFGANISTHAN DURING TALIBAN REGEIME. I am confused in certain accounts whether Talibans were right or wrong. Because women shoulD always be in control like in Taliban regeime. Otherwise they will go for more boyfriends and destroy family values leading to shame of their familiy members.

[Mirror]

I strongly suggest that we should dicuss the matter as of today instead of stories of kings and invaders which become the part of the history. We are living ,suffering and dying in todays world so discuss TODAY. Any religion will not allow such type of henious crimes on the name of religion. Does any religion teaches to Rape the innocent and helpless womens and through them alive in Fire , Can you feel the pain. Does any religion teaches butcher and kill small innocent infants, unborn children innocent and helpless people. If it is so then those people who follow that religion is a RELIGION OF AN Evil because to my knowledge all religions teach love and harmony and teach to respect the women.. But what has happened in Gujraat or happening in other parts of the country on the name of religion is shameful and sinful which is a great threat to the existance of the country. BJP Government., RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal and the last but not the least the shameful police department are directly involved in that massacre., 100\'s of evidences and reports are available. If BJP and parties are not stopped now and if their actions continues like this than with in a few decades you will find India will be a country of terror and blood and dead bodies and only these organizations and parties will be responsible for that.

[Mirror]

Baseless Excuse Mr. Democreate...if you are talking about taliban and afghan then i feel sorry for you., they are nothing to do with INDIAN women. You are an indian(I beleive) SO YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT INDIA FIRST.
Examples are many in the world like bosnia,chechania etc etc, so would you compare all of them. Your clothes are burning and you are going to give adivice to others how to protect from fire. The fact is...Its all the conspiracy of BJP Govt. State to Central + RSS + VHP + BJ + POLICE of Gujraat. They dont want to catch the people and probe and punish who burnt the train. 6 months before they started suppliying arms and leathel weapons and planning to attach minorities and central government was aware of that.

[sri the democrat]

dear mirror, India is very big country with billions of thinkings.Dont think all south Indians are supporting the RSS VHP and Bajrangdal and all. Basically these bajrang dal, shiv sena and all not treating the south Indians properly.If you go to some part of our country these groups are trying to treat the south indians as second class Indians but finally Mud in their faces.We should be very happy that we are all living in peaceful,comparativily scientific,comparatively technically advanced southern part of India.But there is so many dangers that incoming refugees may destroy the existing peace.Old Indus valley stories should not repeat.So My friend be united.

[Mirror]

sri the democrat...if the educated and literate people like you devide the country in regions and religions then how come we expect a good and healthy united nation. I really feel sorry that even this religios virous infected the edcuated minds also. If this RSS-SHIV SENA or what soever can give good respect to NORTH INDIANS as you said , does they include OTHER NORTH INDIANS ALSO LIKE MUSLIMS,CHRISTIANS,SIKHS.. Does they do.. Learn the meaning of Unite first then talk..A healthy Garden looks good when it has all kind of colourful flowers. If you try to cut few of them it beauty gets weird and it looks ugly.. Unite means respect all religions , dont create regions boundaries.. and unite together irrespective of religion or caste or region thats the UNITY and INTEGRITY which has a great threat if the BJP and criminals like MODI and others exists on this land..But you cant und\'stand that....

[LOST]

Everyone says this incident started cos burning of train compartment. There is no clear report showing what had happened, was the compartment was burnt from outside or from inside. who were the victims, its more 60% of the people in the reservation list are alive. Railways were trying to conceal the reservatoin list until recent.(For Rajdahni accident reservation list was available through out within hours!) No proper investigation was allowed to take place.

what ever happened and is happening, because of dirty politics and politians. A average comman man is worried about his day to day living, has no time to think outside his family and needs.

What Politian want, supermacy-power-money, infact they dont have any religion or their religion is politics.

I would also like to include the current situation of the world, which might possible lead to World WAR III.
US intention are clearly to attack Iraq, in the name of regime change. Previosly they had a reason that iraq is not allowing UN inspector in. Now when iraq agreed to allow UN inspector unconditional, which was welcomed by Russia, China, South Africa and other countries. still US wants to go for war.
To change the regime, how much it will cost. I am not talking about money. I mean human life Solders (Its their duty to fight for the cause of the country), what one has to say about Innocent Citizen. (one can compare with the people died in 911 incident, all of them has nothing to do with terrorist).

What is felt , those who are in power are misusing it. who should be blamed for this. We should blame ourself for giving power to such people. By electing, choosing, following etc... etc...

Is there any humanity left out?????????????

[sri the democrat]

No. No. Nothing to divide. See when you are thinking about millions of some class of people more than 1000 KMs away, I am thinking about millions of people working outside our region.That s it. Nothing to devide.All to unite.

[Raaks]

May be there was a quarrel when somebody refused to pay the tea vendor or whosoever butthis still does not justify and is not good enough a reason to burn so many people alive and that too locked in the compartment. Unfortunate incidents happen an instead of brooding over situations like this and provoking People I agree with Sri and others in saying that this is issue is best not discussed!!!. Look at the brighter side of life and not brood over the past!!!

[Shruti]

The purpose of making people aware of the humongous crimes committed by the BJP/VHP/RSS/BD Cadres is so that public opinion builds and the guilty, who many survivors have identified clearly by name can be brought to justice. For as of now, they are roaming around freely. Remember that what happend cannot be forgotten unless the guilty are punished suitably