People's Democracy

THE central executive committees of DYFI and SFI strongly condemned the setting on fire of a bogie of Sabarmati Express in Godhra, Gujarat wherein 30 people lost their lives and many more were injured. This barbaric massacre by miscreants has reportedly led to communal conflagration in Gujarat and other parts of the country.

At a time when the country is passing through great difficulties, communal tensions are the last thing that the people need at this juncture felt these organisations. They called upon the political parties to take the initiative in rallying the people to isolate the extremist forces and maintain communal harmony. They also demanded that the Vajpayee government take immediate steps to prevent the congregation of VHP activists at Ayodhya.

The latest moves by the VHP are reflective of their sectarian and divisive agenda and would only lead to further communal fissures in the country. The prime minister and the home minister would be directly responsible for any further deterioration of the situation.

The DYFI and SFI appealed to the people, especially the youth and students, to maintain peace and communal harmony at this critical juncture.