Capital Punishment, Muslims and Mystery

By

Abdul Hannan Siwani Nadvi

How so much capital punishment can be granted to poor and illiterate Muslims because of an act which was highly politically motivated and it is still unclear, whether this act was part of a conspiracy or just it was an accident?

From the beginning of this incident, circumstances, evidences and all other investigations describe it to an accident, that later turned into conspiracy to target Muslims easily. Justice Banarji commission's findings term it an accident.

Prominent journalist, Kuldeep Nayyar says, indeed, there is no reason to concede the story of Muslim's conspiracy behind the train burning carnage.

According to him, there were no circumstances or no any incident had taken place against Muslims before the train burning carnage that build this notion that Muslims burn S6 coach as a revenge.

Actually, in consideration of all past conspiracies made by Hindutva and BJP leaders and later Muslims blamed for this, it seems train burning carnage was a big conspiracy, like 9/11, played to strength the position of Modi and BJP in Gujarat. Muslims just have been made scapegoat as usually happens with Muslims in India.

From the beginning, it is being said that 59 karsewaks have been killed in this carnage. Question arises here; where is the list of the reservation chart? What were the names of Karsewaks who have been killed? Nitish Kumar was the then Railway Minister, why he did not setup any inquiry or commission to know the fact at the time of accident?

According to the chargesheet filed in the court, an unidentified mob of around 900 to 1,000 people attacked S6 coach of Sabarmati Express near Godhra Railway station.

Police arrested only 134 persons, 14 have been released due to insufficient evidences, 5 were minors. 5 died during the course of hearing. 94 people charged, POTA repealed, 63 people acquitted, Molvi Saeed Umerji believed to be the prime accused in the case acquitted; court found 31 people guilty; its mean only 31 people attacked on the coach, there was not a mob as the chargesheet claims; so what remains in all stories made by police? And what remains in the case? Such as, there are hundreds unanswered questions related to this train burning carnage.

And in spite of awarding capital punishment to the accused, the mystery behind this carnage that later turned into conspiracy and Muslims blamed, massacred and BJP became strong in Gujarat remains unsolved.

The most important question is Modi and his administration established in the court the stand that figures Muslims as conspirators of this incident.

What is happening with Muslims in Gujarat since 2002, the hope of justice was very invisible with all Muslims who had been arrested in train burning carnage?

Any move of state administration or the commission appointed by the state government in figuring Muslims as a conspirator will not be accepted as state government's hand in killing of Indian citizens and minorities people has appeared clearly.

When without any reason, more than two thousand Muslims have been killed and hundreds of thousands have been dislocated, so how it was possible that all arrested Muslims could get the justice while the state government has reasons and evidences, whether it is fabricated, as it happened in real.

Any way, looking towards any political party for help carries no weight. Congress called Modi (Merchants of death) for political reasons; however, it has done nothing to put all perpetrators and conspirators of post-Godhra genocide on trail.

The sentences granted to Muslims surly will be appealed into higher court, and this fight should be continued until justice to be prevailed to the victims.

It was the first tragedy for Muslims of Gujarat when they experienced a massacre in broad daylight and Muslim's areas had been presenting the scene of cruelty and calamity. The second tragedy was for Muslims of Gujarat when their loved once granted the capital punishment in the case in which most of Muslim population in Gujarat had already been punished nine years ago.

After all, no one can understand the pain of Muslims of Gujarat. The time is the best friend for all those Muslims who are the victim of Islamophobia and targeted to be a Muslim. The time will heal their pain. Patience and ability to fight in unfavourable situation that granted them the success always is the most and important weapon for them.

This legal fight will take time in throwing the truth out. During this period, some of them could die; some of them will be arrived at the stage when they, themselves would not want to be burden on their family members.

Rest Muslims in the country just can pray for them and extend helping hand to them and to their family members.

But this capital punishment is a lesson for Muslims, by and large, across India. If Muslims want to live in India with dignity and nobility, they have to be a true Muslim and live as a conscious nation. Leave the fear behind, and demand their all rights with full power. Teach their children; make themselves strong with all resources they can get it with very easily, because if they made not themselves strong, this world would not allow them to live. This world will make them a forgotten nation and a frightened nation. Establish their own schools; turn their homes into Madarsas and institutions.

They are not refugees, or asylum seekers in India, they are the citizens of this country. They are a nation that fought with British forces. They are a nation who made India united. More than seven hundred years Muslims ruled here but never allowed this country to be divided on communal or religious line. They are a nation that has precious and priceless history. The sacrifices Muslims have paid in India and which are still continuing cannot be allowed to be wasted.

They have to come out from the fear and terror. Hindutva leaders and forces want to see terror in Muslim community. Keep their differences aside, and stand up with new enthusiasm and with new excitement.

Those who have been granted capital punishment, we can just fight for them until justice to be prevailed to all, but our hard work can make others safe from falling into conspiracy is being played by anti-National forces.

03-03-2011