India: The ticking "minority" time bomb (Part II)

Not from any Movie, this shot was taken during the Pune Riots some time back and capture the Extremist Hindu frenzy!

This poignant shot of Qutubuddin Ansari, a small time muslim trader in Gujarat, was the face of the hapless muslim in Gujarat riots! Fortunately, Ansari lived that day, unfortunately so has the frenzy!

In a three page round up of her report to the UN, Asma has summed up the current religious and political assessments very thoughtfully!

She has lauded the efforts of the existing government in terms of its 15 point programme for welfare of minorities, Justice Sachar and Justice Mishra committee reports. She has also lauded the efforts of the national commission on minorities and national media channels and citizens who have risked their own lives and saved the lives of many during the communal riots!

She has however, indicated a difference in the intent of many state governments with regard to intolerance and discrimination of minorities and other religions! Gujarat and Orissa find a mention amongst the errant states!

To quote Asma, "Organised mobs taking roots in religious idealogies have unleashed an all pervasive fear of mob violence." Taking a shot at the adminitrative and government lack of action and intention, she states that law enforcement agencies are often reluctant to take action against individuals or groups thatperpetrate violence in the name of religion or belief. (We all know that this can happen only and only if there is a political motive and backing to such individuals or groups.)

Drawing on an earlier report, Asma emphasizes that there is a real risk that communal violence may repeat unless political exploitation of communal distinction is effectively prevented and advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility and violence is adequately addressed!

The report urges the authorities to take swift action and measures to protect the minorities and prevent communal violence. It also urges the judiciary to effect a time bound closure to communial riot cases and bringing the guilty to the bars!

One of the most impressive points made by Asma is to scruplously implement the Representation of Peoples act 1951 which provides for disqualification of membership of parliament and state legislatures of persons who promote feelings of enimity or hatred between different classes of citizens on grounds of race, religion, caste, community or language! That would debar the use of vote bank politics for serving petty means!