Muslims being singled out: Basha

There was high drama after Judge K Uthirapathy read out the sentences with Al-Umma activists shouting that Muslims were being targeted...

There was high drama after Judge K Uthirapathy read out the sentences with Al-Umma activists shouting that Muslims were being targeted and singled out for punishment. Soon after hearing his sentence, S A Basha, who founded Al-Umma and the accused number one, made a brief, emotional speech, demanding to know why only Muslims were being sentenced. “Only Muslims are being punished. Why is it that the members of the Sangh Parivar are not punished. It is shame on India,” he said.

Al Umma general secretary Mohammed Ansari, who reportedly deposed Basha, to take control of the outfit while in prison, termed the sentences as “unfair”. He said time and again it was only the Muslims who were being “oppressed”.

Co-accused Basith lashed out at the judge, saying that it was only the “Advanis, Modis and Togadias who were not punished and remained in power”. “They have not spent even one day in jail, while we are languishing for nine years. They are enjoying Z category security. Just withdraw their security for an hour and see what happens,” he said.

Basith, the explosives expert, is said to have designed several IEDs that were set off at several places across Coimbatore town. Basith recalled the fate of former Gujarat Home Minister Haren Pandya, reportedly killed in retaliation for the 2002 Gujarat riots. Some accused requested the judge to include in his order the place of their incarceration. “Keep us in Coimbatore prison. If we are not kept here, it will amount to punishing our families,” Ansari told the judge.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the designation gives law enforcement “enhanced powers to combat a group that has instilled fear through violence and intimidation”.

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