EC’s rocket to Modi: stop VHP

The Commission, which met today after its two-day visit to Gujarat, quoted from a report of the state administration that ‘‘there is every likelihood of communal tensions and passions getting exacerbated by the proposed yatra being planned by the VHP.

‘‘The Commission has noted with concern that the proposed yatra would invovle the use of replicas of S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express that was burnt down by miscreants on February 27 (in Godhra) and the likelihood of communally provocative and intemperate speeches being made during the course of the yatra.

‘‘In fact, the state administration has unequivocally stated that the possibilities of law and order situation arising in the wake of the proposed yatra cannot be ruled out. In view of the above, the proposed VHP yatra should not be allowed to take place,’’ the EC ordered, while laying the onus on the Gujarat government.

Pointing out that the maintenance of law and order is the responsibility of the state government, the Commission stated that it ‘‘expects the state administration to take all such measures under the existing laws as are considered appropriate for maintaining an atmosphere conducive for conduct of peaceful, free and fair polls even during the run-up period to the elections.’’

The EC also directed the state government to prevent ‘‘any such yatra and procession, etc.’’ and display and use of images that ‘‘may incite communal tensions and passions and disrupt law and order situation in the state.’’

The EC said that election process would get vitiated and ‘‘democratic traditions’’ would be ‘‘tarnished’’ by any activity that aggravates ‘‘existing differences or creates mutual hatred, disharmony, ill-will or causes tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic.’’

The order noted that such activity would also ‘‘seriously jeopardise the law and order situation conducive for the conduct of free and fair elections in the state.’’

The Commission directed the state government to take ‘‘preventive and punitive action’’against ‘‘individuals/parties/organisations indulging in communally incendiary and provocative speeches, posters and pamphlets that incite communal tensions.’’