NEW DELHI: The Indian government has released BJ.P and other Hindu Fundamentalist leaders even as a ban on these Organizations formally remains in force. The released leaders include Lal Krishan Advani, Murli Manochar Joshi, Uma Bharti, V.H.P. and Bajrant Dal leaders Vishnu Hari Dalmia, Ashok Singal and Vinay Katiar. The Indian government’s prosecution counsel who presented the case diary to the court of chief judicial magistrate of Dalitpur district of UP., R.RYaday made no request for further extension of the judicial remand of the accused. All these leaders were arrested under sections 153A and 153B and section 505 of the Indian Penal Code. All these laws required exacting evidence to prove charges. However, different laws are applicable to Sikh, Muslim and other activists belonging to minorities. Thousands of persons belonging to these communities have been in jail for years. Advani and other Hindu extremist leaders remained in jail for about a month only. The magistrate observed in his order of release that he was doing so “honorably.”

In fact, observers feel, the Indian government’s ban orders against Hindu fundamentalist organizations is a mockery. These organizations have been permitted to carry on their actives against the minorities particularly Muslims. More than 1120 Muslims were killed immediately after the demolition of the Babni masjid on Dec.6. About 200 Muslims were killed in Maharashtra and Gurjaral this week.

The antiMuslim violence is believed to have been organized by Hindu fascist organizations such as Shiv Sena in connivance with the police force. No ban even formally was imposed on the Shiv Sena which mainly operates in Maharashtra. It may be recalled that the Sena chief Bal Thakre had publicly hailed the demolition of Babni masjid on Dec.6 and had claimed responsibility for the action on behalf of his organization but the Indian government did not ban it.

In Punjab ban orders against the Hindu fundamentalist organizations were not enforced as the state’s Congress (I) government has the support of BJP.

And other fascist organizations including the police force.

The Indian government was evidently keen on maintaining the antiSikh front in Punjab under cover of fighting Sikh militancy. Moreover, Congress (I) and BJ.P. Jointly control local administration at Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar, the three most populous town of Punjab.

 

Article extracted from this publication >>  January 15, 1993