Gujarat riots uncover BJP, VHP differences

Earlier, the VHP, in a strongly-worded memorandum to Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel, had alleged that Hindus were being victimised by the police. Then came State BJP general secretary Gordhan Zadaphia8217;s statement, complaining that the Congress was linking the party with the VHP and the Bajrang Dal.

Explaining the VHP stance, State president Jaideep Patel asserted, quot;We are for Hinduism, and we will oppose those working against Hindus, whether it is the BJP or the Congress.quot;

Speaking about the Ahmedabad violence Patel said, quot;The Home Ministry got misled by police officials acting over-confidently and in favour of the Congress. Otherwise, the incidents could have been avoided. Police officials and the Home Department took it lightly; these were pre-planned incidents.quot;

Patel alleged that some policemen were hand-in-glove with the Congress and the anti-socials, who had tried to create trouble on July 14 during the rath yatra festival. quot;Shoot-at-sight should have been ordered on July 20 itself when the trouble began and the arrests should have been made earlier. Everywhere the action was delayed,quot; he said.

Differences between the BJP and the VHP surfaced when the State Government converted the Minorities Board into a full-fledged corporation with a special corpus fund some months ago. Later, differences between the Home Ministry and the VHP erupted over police postings and transfers. And then came the Ahmedabad violence.

quot;We have already registered our protest against giving the board a corporation status. Against this, the State Government has indeed agreed to set up a Gau Sewa Aayog, but we will demand that the Aayog be given a ministry status,quot; asserted Patel.

The BJP had spoken of converting the board into a corporation when it first assumed power in 1995, but the proposal was shot down by VHP international general secretary Pravin Togadia. VHP sources said Togadia prevailed upon the Government not to quot;try any such misadventurequot;. The VHP also had a say in police postings.

Political expediency ensured that the board became a corporation, while governmental compulsions ensured policemen couldn8217;t always be moved according to likes and dislikes of VHP men. Recently, at least two inspectors 8211; one of them a relative of a senior VHP leader 8211; were transferred much against their wishes.

Minister of State for Home Pandya denied there is any problem between the BJP Government and the VHP, but parried further questions on the issue. At the same time, he maintained that the Government has acted and will continue to act objectively. An IAS officer remarked, quot;The Government is removing its crutches.quot;

But the VHP nurses a sense of betrayal. Said a VHP leader, quot;We made the party what it is today. But now, as our memorandum to the Chief Minister says, Hindus are humiliated by the same Government.quot;