Church asks BJP to take moral responsibility for Godhra

The Catholic Church in the country called for immediate action against the guilty in the Godhra Carnage of 2002, after shocking disclosures made in the Tehelka Aaj Tak exposed a planned genocide strategised and executed by top functionaries of the Hindu saffron groups that had killed over 1000 people.

“The expose alludes to the direct involvement of the elected members of the state assembly, cabinet ministers of government of Gujarat, the administration officials, and the police and judicial machinery in carrying out the carnage,” said Jesuit Activist priest Fr Cedric Prakash of NGO Prashant.

“We also condemn the unilateral and unconstitutional decision of the Ahmedabad District Collector of taking six news channels off the air while the telecast was going on. This is a serious and direct infringement of the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression in Gujarat,” Fr Cedric said.

The citizens have strongly demanded the Central government to issue an Ordinance suitably amending the provision of the Delhi Police Establishment Act which requires the consent of the State Government for investigating any matter by the CBI and added that the state administration should cancel the bail of those named in the tapes, accused in various cases related to post–Godhra violence.

“There be a re–telecast of the expose, since most of the State have been unable to view the same, on account of the unconstitutional ban on the channels for more than 24 hours and all public prosecutors and judges in all cases related to 2002, be re–examined for their proximity or connection to Sangh Parivar outfits, and make fresh appointments of the police officers named in the tapes be suspended forthwith, and legal proceedings be initiated against them,” the citizens demanded.

Meanwhile, the church has asked the Bharatiya Janata Party to take moral responsibility and surrender for the crimes committed.