Resurrecting Gujarat

For the first time in my life, I have felt, such mix of emotions at the same time; anger, distress, sadness, disgust. It has made me question the existence of democracy in our country. The very "Idea of India", an India that is pluralistic, secular and inclusive lays shattered. That is when I decided that we must do something about the way this country and its people are functioning. I am referring to the latest expose by Tehelka, with respect to the 2002 Gujarat riots. The state-sponsored pogrom that brought a community to its knees five years ago has brought shame to every liberal citizen of this great nation, irrespective of their religious beliefs. The events in Gujarat in 2002 are a direct attack on the ethos we Indians stand for. What we saw and read was enough to shake up a whole nation.

Revelation of 'The Truth' made me realize that the vital question in this whole situation is not just communal harmony, but it is simply breakdown of constitutional machinery. The Media took a critical view of the riots at that point of time and the Supreme Court during Chief Justice VN Khare's tenure castigated the Narendra Modi government accusing it of connivance in the whole episode. It was not as if the Government was not working, it was in full- swing supporting the rioters. The law- makers became the law-breakers.

We have always paid more attention to the consequences of the whole issue rather than the root cause, its time that we look into the matter. We must ensure that the same Government is not re-elected. For, this we ask for the cancellation of the nomination of all the Gujarat riots accused for the upcoming state elections. Presidential rule must be declared in Gujarat until the Nanavati commission completes its enquiry and submits its report.

Each of us, you and me included has a stark choice:

- You can either "choose" to turn your back thinking that this issue does not concern you, that you have more pressing engagements to meet. By doing so, you are implicitly strengthening the hands of the Gujarat government.

Or

- You can exercise your right to dissent by joining a protest march against the monstrosity of the Gujarat government. Every act of yours, even a small one, is a drop in the ocean in achieving justice for victims of the Gujarat genocide.

The choice is yours. Remember this when you choose your course of action. "It is the choices that make us what we are, and we can always choose to do the right thing."

So please sign on this petition and show that you care what happens to your country.


Suman
Aakanksha
Concerned Citizens