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February 28, 2002 — a day after the Godhra train carnage — but has stopped short of recommending<br />
action against any minister or official. The organisations, led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), had<br />
called a statewide bandh to protest the killing of 58 Hindus on the Sabarmati Express, which was the<br />
trigger for riots across Gujarat that left at least 1,200 people dead. In its final report, the SIT has<br />
concluded that the allegation by former top cop of the state, RB Sreekumar, that the Narendra Modi<br />
government did nothing to stop the bandh in an already tense atmosphere, was proven correct. “No<br />
notification was issued by the government to ban the bandh despite a Kerala HC judgment that had<br />
declared bandhs and strikes illegal,” the report says. “The judgment applies to the whole country. In view<br />
of this, the allegation is proved correct, but this by itself doesn’t make the state a co-conspirator to the<br />
riots.” The SIT, headed by former CBI chief RK Raghavan, has stated that this fact "cannot be construed<br />
as evidence to bring home a charge of conspiracy".The state has justified its decision of allowing the<br />
bandh, saying "keeping in view the fundamental rights of citizens, the government decided not to ban the<br />
bandh and instead provided adequate police protection".The bandh witnessed violence at several places<br />
where VHP activists gathered. Former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri and 68 others were burnt alive in<br />
Ahmedabad's Gulberg Society the same day. (Hindustan Times 12/5/12)<br />
Hindutva outfits to drop protest against Upendra film (26)<br />
HUBLI, May 14, 2012: With film producer Muniratna agreeing to remove the “objectionable” scenes in<br />
Upendra-starrer Katari Veera Surasundarangi, Hindutva organisations have decided to withdraw their<br />
protest and allow the screening of the film from Thursday. Sri Rama Sena chief Pramod Muthalik told<br />
presspersons here on Sunday that at the meeting in Udupi on Saturday, which was attended by various<br />
seers, Mr. Muniratna and distributor Venkatesh, the producer agreed to remove the “objectionable<br />
scenes” from the film. Mr. Muthalik claimed that the film had several scenes that portrayed Hindu gods in<br />
poor light. He also took exception to the functioning style of the Censor Board, which, he said, was<br />
responsible for creating a situation that would lead to disharmony in society. “The Censor Board should<br />
be extra careful while looking at films that have scenes which will hurt religious sentiments,” he said. Mr.<br />
Muthalik said that a delegation, led by various seers, would soon submit a memorandum to the Censor<br />
Board urging the members to discharge their duties responsibly. (The Hindu 14/5/12)<br />
VHP demands Jagan's arrest (26)<br />
SANGAREDDY, May 16, 2012: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) national president Praveen Kumar<br />
Togadia has demanded that the government arrest YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jaganmohan<br />
Reddy for hurting the sentiments of Hindus . Speaking to reporters at Ramayampet on Tuesday, Mr.<br />
Togadia, who was here to participate in the concluding training programme of the VHP workers, said that<br />
the Balaji temple at Tirumala must be cleaned with Ganga water to restore its holiness. He said that Mr.<br />
Jaganmohan Reddy not signing the declaration tantamount to hurting the feelings of the Hindus across<br />
the globe. Stating that religious conversions are on increase across the nation, the VHP leader said that<br />
they were making efforts to prevent them with the help of Bajarang Dal. (The Hindu 16/5/12)<br />
VHP bandh passes off peacefully in Jammu (26)<br />
Jammu: The day-long bandh called by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) here to protest the alleged failure of<br />
district administration in taking action against miscreants who attacked a religious procession in Rajouri<br />
town, passed off peacefully today. "There were no reports of any untoward incident during the bandh," a<br />
senior police official said. Shops in Jammu remained closed during the bandh hours and the flow of traffic<br />
came to a virtual standstill. Members of VHP, BJP, Sri Ram Sena and Kranti Dal took out processions<br />
and set ablaze effigies to express their anger against police crackdown on protesters. Several political,<br />
trade, social, transport and religious organisations extended their support to the day-long bandh. Border<br />
towns of Sunderbani, Noushera also observed bandh. "Our protest was against the police atrocities on<br />
minority community and its failure to initiate the required action against miscreants," State VHP Chief Dr
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