CPI(M) IN PARLIAMENT 

Government Failure In Curbing Communal Elements In Gujarat

 SUBODH ROY, CPI(M) member of parliament from Bhagalpur moved Motion for Adjournment in Lok Sabha on November 18, 2002 on ‘Failure of the Government in Curbing Communal Elements in the Country, Specially in Gujarat’.

Referring to recent incidents of communal violence in Gujarat Subodh Roy reminded the House that even the prime minister had earlier felt anguished as a result of incidents of communal violence in Gujarat and had remarked that these incidents are a shame for the whole nation and he has no face to visit foreign countries. However, chief minister Modi and other members of the Sangh Parivar with their total commitment to communal violence simply ignored prime minister’s remarks. The later incidents, particularly barbaric assaults on women, children and members of the minority community are the most dangerous elements in the recent history of the country and deserve condemnation in the strongest language.

“On the question of free and fair elections in the state, the BJP, other constituents of the Sangh Parivar and the state’s chief minister have maligned the Election Commission in sheer disregard of its constitutional authority. Thus the constitution and its sanctity are at a stake and there seems to be a conspiracy to replace democracy by fascism and barbarity,” Subodh Roy said.

Recently Gaurav Yatra and such other activities have so much vitiated the atmosphere in the state that morale of the rioters is high, they are operating freely and the law and order situation is simply appalling. Probably never before this world has witnessed so much of brutality, barbarity and devilry.

Now the time for elections in the state has come. The BJP however feels that it is losing its hold on the people.  The government has failed on all the fronts. The peasantry is ruined. The youths of the country see no future. The disinvestment process plagued with scams, corruption and loot is weakening the economy. Under the circumstances wherever election have been held, the BJP has lost power.

Desperate with the loss of popular support, the BJP is not able to see any future for itself in Gujarat elections. The leadership of the Sangh Parivar has thus once again started drama of a fresh yatra.  The speeches delivered by Shri Praveen Togadia and Acharya Dharmendra are in any case shameful.  This country has great cultural traditions.  In this country, saints and holy people by their discourses have enhanced the prestige and glory of the country.  But after listening to Praveen Togadia, Acharya Dharmendra and Giriraj Kishore it is difficult to say that these people belong to the same tradition to which Swami Vivekanand and Swami Ram Kirshna belonged to.  These people have delivered provocative speeches against a particular community, against the constitution and constitutional agencies.  These violent speeches make absolutely clear that these people have faith neither in the constitution nor in the traditions of the country.  They are conspiring to inflame violence on a big scale not only in Gujarat but also in the whole country. They are also attempting to divide people on the community basis. They continue to make inflammatory speeches.  They were arrested for making these speeches but were released in four hours.  The prime minister’s appeal made no impact on them.  This all has happened probably due to connivance of the prime minister with the BJP leaders.  There seems to be no limit of hypocrisy.  Now people can see both hypocrisy and brutality. Millions of people in this country have now observed that the prime minister, Mr. Jaitley and others speak the same language. “ We do not expect from the prime minister to indulge in such tactics”, Subodh Roy lamented.

“We were of the view that at this juncture when secularism and democracy are at a stake the prime minister would show some far sightedness and determination but I am sorry to say how lightly he has spoken on the Gujarat problem that makes it abundantly clear that he has no regrets for the provocative speeches made by Praveen Togadia and Acharya Dharmendra. These speeches and statements deserve strongest condemnation but the prime minister has failed to do that”, Subodh Roy added.

Today due to misdeeds of these persons this country has reached a point that people are no longer serious about the economy, employment, problems of the peasantry and other important issues faced by the country.  “We in this House fail to discuss these problems. We spend much of the time debating problems related to prevention of communal tensions, strengthening of democracy and defeating forces of fascism”, Subodh Roy remarked.

“Today I would like to make this submission that we must create an atmosphere in which free and frank discussion becomes possible and the government takes initiative to combat activities of the VHP and Bajrangdal.  Our home minister Shri Advani who is present in the House has sensed weakening of hold of his party on the people.  He has thus been instigating the members of Sangh Parivar to create a favourable atmosphere in the name of Hindutva with the purpose of capitalizing on it in Gujarat elections.” Addressing the home minister, Subodh Roy said that the people of Gujarat now understand BJP’s gameplan. This party will soon realise that even in Gujarat there are lots of people who believe in secularism and no one can mislead them under any circumstances. In the existing communally surcharged atmosphere people have observed that thousands of men, women and children have got shelter in relief camps and they are unable to muster courage to return their homes. They lack confidence in the administration as no action has been taken as yet against the criminals accused of fanning violence, killings and arson.

The suggestion of winding up camps is highly objectionable. So long people living in camps are not ensured rehabilitation and complete safety they must not be forced to leave the camps. Moreover, it is also to be ensured that the people involved in communal riots will be arrested and booked for legal action. Roy demanded that adequate compensation is to be paid to all the families which have lost their kith and kin or whose property has been damaged.

Concluding his speech Subodh Roy said, “From my constituency Bhagalpur some Muslims had gone to Gujarat to organize an exhibition on the directive of the Handloom Corporation.  However, three of the young participants were killed on February 28 while going to the station as they wanted to return home sensing insecurity in the town.  I have personally gone there to assess the situation but I have noticed that the police is attempting to hush up the case.  Even compensation has not been paid to the families of the victims.”

In the end Subodh Roy pointed out that he has written several times to the government but no satisfactory action has been taken on his demands. He thus demanded that all the victims of violence in Gujarat be paid adequate compensation and due arrangements be made for their rehabilitation.  Moreover, a congenial atmosphere must be created so that elections are held in a peaceful atmosphere.  Roy asserted that no leniency is to be shown to criminals and persons like Praveen Togadia and Acharya Dharmendra must be put into jail until elections are not completed.