NGO’s forgive ‘n’ forget idea kicks up a row
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
Posted online: Tuesday, March 01, 2005 at 0142 hours IST
AHMEDABAD, FEBRUARY 28: The efforts of voluntary group Jan Andolan to
bring about reconciliation between Hindus and Muslims in some villages
divided by the 2002 riots has run into controversy. Other groups are
opposing Jan Andolan’s idea that Muslims should withdraw cases of
arson or looting to facilitate reconciliation with Hindus.
Jan Andolan chief Mukul Sinha says withdrawing such cases will allow
Muslims displaced by the riots to go back to their villages without
any fear. ”There are many villages to which Muslims have been unable
to return even three years after the riots,” he says. ”Let’s not
talk of far-off places, there are villages hardly 20 km from Ahmedabad
to which Muslims haven’t returned. They are warned not to return.”
Sinha adds that he’s not for withdrawal of cases of serious offences.
”All that is being suggested is that, in instances where there was no
loss of life, no rape, or other heinous charge, people should withdraw
cases and find ways of getting on with life,” he says.
Activists like advocate Girish Patel, Prof Nisar Ahmed Ansari, Achyut
Yagnik and others don’t buy that idea. They say there can be no
reconciliation without justice.
This difference of opinion came to the fore on Sunday after Jan
Andolan circulated a note on its proposal and called for a dharna to
push the idea. The note says the proposal has the backing of some 40
muftis from Ahmedabad, who have agreed to canvass for it.
In response, some ”concerned citizens” and other organisations sent
out a press release that says: ”We believe that the problem is not
simply a case of conflict between two communities only, but part of
the larger programme of the BJP/VHP/BD/RSS.” http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=65589 http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=69431