British Indian Muslims Welcome Godhra Panel's Report

London 18 January 2005 Council of Indian Muslims -UK (CIM) has welcomed Banerjee Committee's report  on the burning of Sabarmati Express train in Godhra in February 2002 that  was forthwith used as an excuse by the Modi led government of Gujarat to  kill more than 2,000 Muslims, mass rape of women and wanton destruction of  thousands of Muslim properties.

"The report has proved once again that in contrast to a fascist minority and opportunists like BJP leadership, Indian society is not short of fair-minded people who have the courage of calling a spade a spade." A statement issued  by the CIM said today.

"Instead of attacking the Panel for its findings, the blinkered leaders of  Sangh Parivar should be ashamed of their behavior. If they have a short memory we want to remind them of the submissions of M. S. Dahia, senior official of Forensic Science Laboratory, before Nanawati Commision, in October 2002 during which he said, '.reacting the scene of February 27 we found that it was not possible to pour the liquid from outside as the
compartment was seven feet above the ground.' (Indian Express 16 October
2002).

"We ask the Sangh Parivar, you have done enough harm by tarnishing the image of India and damaging the economy. Your hands stink of innocent blood. If you are really sincere in your claims of patriotism then for God's sake please come to your senses. Stop trying to grab power by dividing the Indian society. Your record at the center and state level, especially Gujarat, has been worse than any government. If there was a conspiracy, as you claim, then Sabarmati Express would have been attacked when it was taking the Karsevaks on their way to Ayodhya and not when they were returning and thus the burning would have been limited only to one compartment.

"Indian society has woken up. By showing you the way out it was proved that it is not going to buy your dirty slogans. We congratulate and thank the Indian Government, specially Railway Minister Lalu Parsad Yadav and the honorable panelists for their fair findings and upholding the Truth. Such positive steps will restore the shaken confidence of the minorities in the rule of law."

Ends