Brushing the Taint in Gujarat

The ghost of the 2002 riots in Gujarat is not leaving state despite the echo of 'development' efforts claims by the state government. The leadership though tainted by the happenings in riot, do not intent to remove the stain. The people of Gujarat know how and who controlled the riot, and it was not just state machinery adding fuel to fire the whole society acted in juvenile manner while participating in the mayhem. The few who got punished comes only for the severe crime, but the majority participants are free at large and more so have forgotten to acknowledge their role.

The society remains extremely polarized on the communal lines, still does not recognize the pain they inflected on each other. The taint is difficult to brush aside even after 9 years shows the intensity of involvement. The other riots which happens were regarded as law and order issue but this one would always be social polarization and mass participation in mayhem with organised efforts. Even after the riots and total neglect of the Muslim community in the society is large and divided citizens on communal lines in most of the cities and towns. Its disheartening to note little efforts by government was made to bridge the gap between communities which may lead to explosion of emotions in another similar incidents in future as it happened after train burning incident in Godhra.

The support to the political party in power cannot be regarded as victory over the Muslims who suffered, rather its sign of acceptance of social dominance of one community over another. This subjugation of the community on behest of their different faith, is a larger taint on the idea of 'India' conceived by the constitution makers. The rejection of communities for the relief and rehabilitation even after the riots is immense, the neglect of public institutions to the area populated by the Muslims is visible in most of the cities. The focus of state machinery has not gone away from the community, since they are constantly on watch during all apprehensions about the disturbances in the city. Most of them hide citing the brutal submission taken by the police force against the community.

This situation were left because of political fall out after the riots, and continued unabated till today. The present leadership seeks refusal in accepting the 'reaction' as legal and just in not punishing culprits of serious crime in state. Riots may not have happened in state, and the objective of ruling party in teaching lessons to the minority community have been achieved, but what would be price the future generation have pay, while brushing the 'taint' in Gujarat?