Post Tehelka expose: Muslims protest against Narendra Modi in Delhi

Muslims and activists of other organisations staged a protest against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi here today and demanded re-opening of all cases in connection with the 2002 Gujarat riots in the wake of sensational revelations made in a sting operation carried out by a weekly newsmagazine Tehelka.

New Delhi, Oct 28 : Muslims and activists of other organisations staged a protest against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi here today and demanded re-opening of all cases in connection with the 2002 Gujarat riots in the wake of sensational revelations made in a sting operation carried out by a weekly newsmagazine Tehelka.

Tehelka recently aired a sting operation, claiming that the 2002 massacre of Muslims in Gujarat were carried out "with the knowledge and sanction of Chief Minister Narendra Modi."

The activists said Modi, who is seeking re-election, gave mob a free run for three days.

The protestor, holding placards that read "Give Punishment To Rioters", raised slogans against Modi. They also burnt a cut-out of Modi.

The protest led by Muslim Yuva Atankwad Virodhi Samiti demanded capital punishment for the politicians and police officers mentioned in the sting.

"Narendra Modi, Babu Bajrangi and all of them (mentioned in the sting) should be hanged," said Mohammad Shakeel Saifi, Chairman of the Muslim Yuva Atankwad Virodhi Samiti.

"We demand that the Central Government open all the closed riot cases in Gujarat," said Saifi, adding that he would file a writ petition in the Delhi High Court in this context.

Saifi also demand a ban on organisations like VHP (Vishva Hindu Parishad) and Bajrang Dal.

Tehelka had claimed that the six-month long investigation confirmed that "the Gujarat murder of Muslims was not a spontaneous swell of anger, but a planned genocide strategised and executed by top functionaries of the RSS, the VHP, the Bajrang Dal and the state authorities."

The protestors said no one should issue a statement against any particular community.

"They should not divide us by issuing a statement against any community. Today they have issued a statement against Muslims; tomorrow they will speak against Punjabi, Marathi and Christians. It is not right," said Shri Ram, National President, Punjabi Ekta Munch.

Tehelka said the report was the result investigation by one of its reporters, who posed as a research scholar and spoke to the activists.

Meanwhile, the BJP said the activists quoted by Tehelka had colluded with Congress party to discredit Modi ahead of the State Assembly election.

About 2,500 people, mostly Muslims, are estimated to have been beaten, stabbed or burnt to death in the Gujarat in 2002 after suspected Muslims set fire to a train carrying Hindu pilgrims, killing 59 people.

ANI