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GUJARAT
GOVERNMENT CONTINUES WITH COMMUNAL
AGENDA -
Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ |
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In a surreptitious and
secret move, the Government of Gujarat through its Legal
Department has issued a notification (No. GK/8/2009/COI/102009/33/A)
appointing a Commission of Inquiry to inquire and report
into the "polarization of population on the basis of
religion taking place in the State of Gujarat" and "the
migration of the people following different religions
taking place every 10 years after 15th August 1947".
According to the Gujarat Government, this Commission is
being instituted because of "allegations which have been
made in the courts as well as in the media against the
State Government" that the population of Gujarat is
polarized on the basis of religion.
Further the Government maintains that "such allegations
and unscientific conclusions create heart burning (sic!)
and distance among the citizens".
In the very institution of the Commission, "the
Government of Gujarat is of the opinion that the
allegations so made are not based on scientific study".
The very nature and tone of this so-called Commission of
Inquiry is bound to target the minorities of the State
and add to the already existing fear among these groups.
Further, it is bound to polarize even more and make the
minorities sitting ducks (because of minority mapping)
for the hate propaganda and violence by right wing Hindu
groups who have the patronage of the State Government as
is evident when the Christians were attacked in 1998-99
and the Muslims in 2001. Minorities in the State
continue to be victims of overt and subtle intimidation,
harassment and attacks.
Earlier in 1999, the Gujarat Government had initiated a
survey of Muslims and Christians of the State. This was
challenged in the Gujarat High Court and in a landmark
Order (SCA/1000/1999 dated 16/02/1999), Justice M.R.
Calla of the Gujarat High Court, maintained that "once
this country has adopted the Constitution, we have to
abide by the same, which is the fountain source of
law……if any survey or census is to be made or any
information is sought to be gathered with regard to the
criminal activities or for other allied purposes, may be
as a part of routine exercise, cannot be based on a
communal footing".
Realising that its move was unconstitutional, the then
Gujarat Government, affirmed in court that it had
withdrawn the survey.
It is a well known fact that most minorities in Gujarat
live in a highly polarized situations. One does not need
a `scientific study' and much less a Commission of
Inquiry (with all its biases) to prove or disprove this.
What the Gujarat Government should ensure is that every
single citizen of the State is treated with respect and
dignity and with the freedoms guaranteed in the
Constitution. A significant step would be to ensure the
implementation in the State of the recommendations of
the Sachar Committee Report.
Above all, it should withdraw this Commission of Inquiry
immediately!
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This page
is updated on July 22, 2009 |
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PRAISE THE ALMIGHTY
10 YEARS CELEBRATION
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