2002 riots: BJP welcomes SC decision to set up fast-track courts

BJP spokesperson Balbir Punj said: “The issue has been politicised for long,and by ordering the trial in Gujarat,the apex court has reposed faith in the administrative and the judicial system in the state. We welcome the decision.”

Gujarat BJP president Purshottam Rupala said the SC has “shown faith in the state government by not transferring the cases outside the state.” He added,“This is a slap on the face of those who were against Gujarat.”

BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said: “We are happy that the SC has taken a correct decision… (but) do not forget that many convictions have taken place in Gujarat in the cases investigated by the police. People also rake up the issue of Gujarat riots before elections but deliberately ignore the Godhra carnage.”

Party leader Prakash Javadekar had his own take on the issue. He said besides bringing justice to the victims of the Godhra train carnage and the subsequent riots,the party was also hoping that the “Supreme Court will take pro-active steps for speedier justice in cases of the Bhagalpur riots and the 1984 Sikh carnage.” He said: “We are sure that it will move for speedier disposal of the Ramjanma Bhoomi land dispute which is pending for 50 years.”

The BJP’s reaction came as the Supreme Court today lifted the stay on the trial of riot cases and directed the setting up of fast track courts in Ahmedabad,Anand,Sabarkanta,Mehsana and Gulbarga districts for holding the trial on day-to-day basis.

The Congress,however,raised its apprehensions over free and fair trail in the state and expressed hope that the Gujarat High Court will address the concerns.

Party leader Veerappa Moily said: “We have no comments on the SC order. But the concerns of human rights commissions and others about the threat perception of the witnesses,still persists.”

He told The Indian Express that Gujarat under Modi has a history of not allowing free and fair trial to take place. “Modi is quite revengeful. He is capable of misusing his office and thereby we hope that the high court will monitor the trial of the riot cases to ensure free and fair trial,” he said.

He added: “Modi is arrogant and shameless for what happened post-Godhra. He could not control the massacres even in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar,what to talk of other places in the state. How can we say that the witnesses and victims will not be pressurised. Modi will do everything to circumvent evidence,” he alleged.

He said his apprehensions are not unfounded as the apex court had itself asked the SIT to probe the role of the Chief Minister,his cabinet colleagues and some officers,in the riots.

He said past records have shown that incidents of arson and riots have not been registered and where they have been registered,witnesses have been pressurised by the government to turn hostile. He alleged that there was a total subservience of the investigation and the police. “With such a history,it’s a challenge before the judiciary to ensure free and fair trial in the state,” he said. (With PTI inputs)