Dark legacy

Though the American human rights organization, ‘Center for Justice’, has announced a cash prize of $10,000 for the one to personally serve court summons on the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his role in 2002 Gujrat riots, the way Modi is escorted by his supporters and security guards, it appears to be a difficult task. Earlier the same organisation was active to charge Sonia Gandhi for Congress’ role in the anti-Sikh massacre in Delhi in 1984. As a head of a government, Modi has got immunity from American courts’ lawsuits, but regardless of the dim chance of summons could be served, some horrible scenes from Gujarat inferno will keep haunting Modi wherever he goes. If we put his position as Gujarat Chief Minster or as India’s Prime Minster aside, isn’t it a joke that he has been absolved of any wrongdoings by no one else but the Indian courts?

He was declared not responsible for killing of more than 1,000 people, widespread looting and destruction of property, expulsion of thousands of families from their homes and sources of income. If courts were looking for a video showing Modi himself leading the rioters burning, looting and killing at their will, then they shall better question their own credentials. If we go by this logic, then most of the Nuremberg-trial accused would had been released as they were not physically involved in the torturing and killing of Jewish inmates. Modi’s public relation charm and his meetings with Indian-American community and businessmen aside, an American visa ban imposed on Modi by Bush Administration still holds, same as this lawsuit by ‘Centre for Justice’ will strike one day. It’s high time for Modi to come forward and defend his stance that he is not personally responsible for the Gujarat government’s inaction to stop 2002 riots. When justice can follow Augusto Pinochet after years of his retirement, why not same for Narendra Modi?

MASOOD KHAN

Jubail, Saudi Arabia