Modi and his then colleagues gets clean chit in 2002 Gujarat carnage

News Network
December 11, 2019

Ahmedabad, Dec 11: The Gujarat government on Wednesday submitted the final part of Nanavati Commission's report on Gujarat carnage after the Godhra incident in 2002, giving "clean chit to the then chief minister Narendra Modi and all his then colleagues and entire state machinery." 

Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja said, "The commission has found that there was no larger conspiracy behind the riots as was alleged by several NGOs and Congress leaders back then. It was only with an intention of maligning the image of now Prime Minister Narendra Modi that these people came up with allegation of a larger conspiracy." 

The report tabled in the Assembly states, "On overall consideration of the entire material, the Commission finds that the communal riots which followed the Godhra incident were really by way of aftermath of that incident. It was because of the Godhra incident that large sections of the Hindu community became very angry and ultimately indulged in violent attacks on Muslims and their properties."

"There is no evidence to show that the attacks were either inspired or instigated or abated by any Minister of the state or by any religious or political party or organisation as such. The only thing that can be said with some certainty on the basis of evidence which has come before the Commission, is that local members of VHP, Balrang (sick) Dal took part in incidents which happened in their localities. In some incidents in three or four districts including Ahmedabad, some local BJP workers also appear to have taken part," the commission noted.

The report has termed former IPS officer R B Sreekumar, who had testified against Modi and others before the commission as "disgruntled officer." The report also discredits evidence of former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, who for the first time had testified in 2010 that he had attended the controversial meeting on February 27, 2002, in Gandhinagar where Modi had allegedly told officers to "let Hindus vent their anger." This meeting was held hours after coach S-6 of Sabarmati Express train was set on fire at Godhra railway station that killed 58 kar sevaks on the spot and led to widespread riots in the state. The report also doesn't believe in the testimony of retired IPS officer Rahul Sharma.

The commission's report also clears Modi's role in handing over the dead bodies to VHP leader Jaydip Patel. There were allegations that dead bodies of victims were paraded in several parts including in Ahmedabad leading to communal hatred. The report states, "The evidence also discloses to send those dead bodies to Ahmedabad was taken for the reason that curfew was already imposed in Godhra town by the time such decision was taken and it was felt that would be very difficult for the relatives of those dead persons to come to Godhra and collected dead bodies of their relatives. The commission doesn't find any substance in the allegation that the chief minister had arranged the same with an evil intention." 

The report contains nine volumes that have over 2,500 pages. On the question of then chief minister not opposing the bandh call given by VHP on February 28, 2002, that allowed the rioters to target Muslims, the report states, "The evidence discloses that the 'Bandh' call was given by BJP on its own and the Chief Minister and other Ministers came to know about it later. The Bandh was not supported by the Government or the Chief Minister or any of his Ministers. State transport buses were seen plying on the roads on 28.02.2002 and they were attacked by the mobs, which had gathered on the roads."

The report also has a statement of Modi that was recorded before the commission. It quotes Modi as saying, "I didn't receive any telephone call from Ehsan Jafri, Ex-Member of Parliament either on 28.02.2002 at 1 am or any other point of time." It is to be noted that Jafri's wife Zakia had alleged that her husband called multiple times for help while a mob was swelling outside the Gulberg Society. Jafri and 68 others were burnt alive on that day in Ahmedabad at their residence at Gulberg Society.

Earlier in 2008, the commission had submitted its first report based on its probe on the burning of the Sabarmati Express train at Godhra railway station. In this report also, the commission gave clean chit to then chief minister Modi while holding that there was no evidence to show that he or his ministers or police officers had any role. Part-two of the report is based on the subsequent riots.  

On March 6, 2002, the state government had appointed the one-member commission of retired high court justice K G Shah. Following litigation in the Supreme Court, another member retired justice G T Nanavati was added in the commission. In 2008, justice Shah passed away. The commission took a record 12 years to submit its report to the state government.

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News Network
March 21,2024

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Mangaluru: A man from Dakshina Kannada was duped of Rs 2.5 lakh after he was promised a Poland visa.

In a complaint, a resident of Belthangady, stated that the accused, Manoj, had promised a job for his son in Poland. 

Between May 22 of last year and March 19, he handed over Rs 2.2 lakh in various phases, citing different reasons.

However, since the accused failed to provide a visa or return the money, a case was registered at the Dharmasthala police station under IPC sections 417 and 420.

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News Network
March 15,2024

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Bengaluru, Mar 15: Work from home to using toilets in malls, residents of India's 'Silicon Valley' Bengaluru are exploring all options to combat the unprecedented water crisis. People across various neighbourhoods have been forced to order food from restaurants and take bath on alternate days due to the water scarcity.

Even those in high-rise apartments equipped with water harvesting systems now find themselves reliant on water tankers for basic needs, leading to stringent usage restrictions.

Eateries are mulling over use of disposable cups, glasses and plates to avoid excess use of water.

Educational institutions are also feeling the pinch. Recently, a coaching centre in the city asked its students to attend classes online due to an 'emergency' for a week. Similarly, a school on Bannerghatta Road was also closed, asking students to attend classes online just like they did during the Covid pandemic.

Residents have come with up new methods to try and conserve water. With temperature rising, it is difficult to avoid a daily shower but they are left with no option but to take bath on alternative days, said Sujatha, a resident of KR Puram.

"What to do? Clean vessels, cook food, wash clothes....so, we have started using paper plates, that way we have cut down on our water usage. And we order food twice a week. We are using the washing machine only once in a week now," she said.

Some others have resorted to visiting a mall to take a shower or use the toilet facilities.

Lakshmi V, an IT professional living in Singasandra, has been requesting her firm to allow WFH option so that she and her family can temporarily shift to her native place in Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu until the situation becomes better.

"If the situation persists, we are thinking of seeking a work from home option. We are planning to move to our native place in Tamil Nadu temporarily till rain arrives here," she said.

Bengaluru primarily gets its water supply from two sources - Cauvery river and groundwater. For most non-drinking uses, recycled water processed by sewage treatment plants is used. With no rain for a while now, the primary sources have been stretched to their limits. Bengaluru needs 2,600-2,800 million litres of water daily, and the current supply is half of what's required. The result is a daily struggle for the city's residents.

The brunt is also being borne by people living in the outskirts of Bengaluru, especially in 110 villages that were merged with the city in 2007.

The crisis has also turned into a political battle between the state's ruling Congress government and the opposition BJP with Lok Sabha just weeks away. While the BJP has held several protests blaming the government, the Congress has accused the BJP-ruled federal government of not providing financial assistance to drought-hit Karnataka.

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News Network
March 14,2024

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Mangaluru, Mar 14: “Hindutva is my commitment and development is my priority,” said Indian army veteran and entrepreneur Captain Brijesh Chowta after the BJP high command announced a ticket to him from Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency.

Known as a BJP stronghold, Nalin Kumar Kateel has served as the MP of this constituency for the past 15 years.

Soon after the announcement was made, 42-year-old Chowta, who is also the BJP state secretary from Dakshina Kannada constituency, sought the blessings of his parents and went to Shree Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple and visited the war memorial to offer tributes.

A BSc graduate from St Aloysius College, he completed his executive business Management program from the Indian Institute of Management, Indore.

He was commissioned into the 7th battalion of the 8 Gorkha Rifles and served in counter-insurgency operations in Assam and Manipur and was part of Elite Ghatak team. He also served as the adjutant to the battalion. He has been associated with the BJP since 2013. He is the president of Mangaluru Kambala and organiser of Mangaluru Lit Fest.

“Humbled and grateful to our party seniors led by our commander-in-chief PM Narendra Modi for giving me this opportunity to be our party’s candidate and representative of his work and vision in Dakshina Kannada. I pledge to continue to work with even greater rigour for the welfare of our region and people driven by the mantra of ‘Nation First’. I humbly bow down to all our karyakartas & everyone who stood by me & toiled with me to make this happen. Our task has just begun, as we work towards making Dakshina Kannada the number one in the state,” Captain Chowta said on X.

Kateel welcomes change 

Meanwhile, sitting Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has welcomed the party’s decision to field Capt Brijesh Chowta as the BJP candidate for Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency.

He said the change aligns with the party’s strategy of fostering new talent to broaden its base and activities. He hoped that he will win by a margin of more than 3 lakh votes.

Soon after the list was announced on Wednesday, the three-time MP told reporters that he has brought projects worth about Rs 1 lakh crore during the last 10 years, under the Modi government.

He thanked the party for giving him a big responsibility of leading the party in the state. “I have worked honestly,” he said.

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