If every riot is condemnable and blot on humanity then why need to compare 2 riots? Very simply put, if we understand the real culprit behind riots then only we will be able to chose govt wisely enough for no more riots. I have read several articles on underlining the difference in sequence of action in both the riot and difference of the action taken.
In this blog I am not pointing out that death in case of Gujarat was less than one fifth of 1984 because even a single death is death. I am not pointing out that army was called so late in 1984 that ensured so many extra deaths unlike Gujarat. I am not pointing out that Gujarat had more than 20% death of majority community, which can not happen if state apparatus was supporting majority community, as was proven in 84 riots. I am not pointing out the 24 hour media attention that 2002 got which was not given to any riot before 2002 or after 2002. I am not pointing out media trial and verdict in 2002 which is contrary to Supreme Court appointed SIT’s observation. I am not pointing out to SC monitored SIT formed in 2002 but for some strange reason it was never formed for any riots when ruling party was Congress. I am not pointing out that it was only in 2002 that SIT closed the case after getting all culprits imprisoned within 10 yrs. People are still waiting for 29 yrs to get justice for 84 riots and in case of other riots like Bhagalpur and Nellie nobody is bothered itself. I am not pointing out that in one riot, where SC is closing the case CBI is trying hard to keep the case open with review petitions and in other case CBI is trying to close the case even after 100s of rebukes from court on hastiness in which case is being closed and shoddy way the investigation is carried out. I am not pointing out why all human right activist got awake only in Gujarat riot. There were 100s of riot before 2002 and after 2002. I never saw Teesta or her gang ever cried for humanity after 2002. Why no human right activist ever talked about Assam. Why selective humanity violation is witnessed by all these activist?
But my issue is totally different. I want to point out the difference in motive of both the riots. Let us relook on how these 2 riots started.
First riot started when misguided people of a religious community attacked leader of a political party who was also the PM then. Yes its true, Indira Gandhi’s assassination was not because she was Hindu. As unfortunate it is, the fact is that Indira Gandhi’s assassination was because a few Sikh thought that Indira Gandhi’s action as PM disrespected their religion. Attack on Indira Gandhi was attack on PM of India who was leader of a political party so lets put some logic and reply who will take revenge. Will it be Hindu or a political party who can motivate its cadre to take revenge as well as try to build communal colour to get masses involved.
Second riot started when a group of misguided people of one community burnt 56 people of other community alive. As unfortunate it is, the fact stays that people were burnt because they were of Hindu community and not because they were BJP member or BJP affliate of BJP supporter. Now extending the same old logic, who will take revenge? Will it be Hindu fanatics or will it be a party?
To conclude the argument, 1984 riot was revenge by foolish fanatic Congress supporter against their leader’s assassination by Sikhs.If the rioters were Hindu or Christian or Muslim, it was coincidence but they have to be fanatic Congress supporters to take the revenge. 2002 riot was revenge by foolish fanatic Hindus against burning of some karsevaks. If the rioters were BJP supporter, Congress supporter or JDU supporter, it was coincidence but they have to be fanatic Hindu fools to take the revenge. Sad part is people consider 2002 as state sponsored even though SIT has clearly proved otherwise and 1984 as inter religion fight even though circumstances and Nanavati commission has proved otherwise. We can blame media for building this perception and continuously propagating the same without any proof. But, we need to remember that it is us who will either believe on the lies of media or throw the news in dustbin.
(For any detailed information on sequence of event in 2002 or SIT findings in the case, one can visit http://www.gujaratriots.com/ )
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