MINORITIES - 2002 - Indian Social Institute

parties for a probe into the violence by a sitting Supreme Court judge. Mr Advani, however, said the
recommendations of the National Human Rights Commission — which were critical of the situation in the
state — "were being considered from all angles and every aspect is being given the attention it deserves".
(Statesman 25.4.02)
25 th April
Gujarat high-risk, stay away: US, UK, Canada (7)
NEW DELHI, APRIL 24: NEW Delhi may construe noises on Gujarat as "interference" in India's affairs but
that has not prevented governments in major world capitals from warning their nationals to either steer
clear or exercise great caution in travelling to the state.
In no hurry to reword mandatory travel advisories, governments are still describing the situation in Gujarat
as "volatile" and where "potential exists for renewed violence."
Some like New Zealand have included Gujarat, the new entry from India after Jammu and Kashmir, in a
no-no list of troubled regions and countries, advising against all travel. (Indian Exp. 25.4.02)
25 th April
MHA gives a clean chit to Modi Govt. (7)
New Delhi, April 24: THE HOME Ministry's report for 2002-03 appears to have given a certificate of good
conduct to the Narendra Modi government. It lauds the so-called steps taken by the State Government to
deploy police, para military and army personnel in some of the riot-hit districts, but there is no mention of
the failure of the administration to check the continued violence. The only fact stated in the report is "large
scale communal violence" in Gujarat on February 28 and March 1, following the Godhra carnage, which
claimed 58 lives.
The report makes no mention of the death toll —believed to be 1,000 — in the unabated violence that
seems to have overtaken the State. (Hindustan Times 25.4.02)
25th April
Ayodhya Muslims may be avacuated (7)
Lucknow, April 24: Muslims living around the disputed Babri masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi complex may
soon be forced to leave their homes and shift to the outskirts if new security plans for the entire complex
receives the green signal from the Centre. The Faizabad administration and me standing committee for
security are believed to have sent a proposal to the Centre, seeking . acquisition of additional land,
particularly behind the spot where the erstwhile Babri masjid stood. The land to be acquired includes
localities like Kajiyana and Theri Bazar that fall in the half a kilometre radius around the complex area. The
minority community presently inhabits most of these localities. ( Asian Age 25.4.02)
25 th April
Violence continues in Ahmedabad, three bodies found (7)
Ahmedabad: Even as Ahmedabad continued to burn in the communal fire, incidents of stone-pelting and
arson were reported from Bhavnagar on Wednesday compelling the police to impose night curfew. Also,
on the second consecutive day, mobs gathered at Devjipura, near the police commissioner’s office in
Ahmedabad, and pelted stones on each other. The police fired several rounds of teargas shells to
disperse the crowd. No one was injured in the incident. (Asian Age 25.4.02)
25 th April
Muslims forced to give up jobs in Gujarat (7)
Vadodara, April 24: Unemployment that used to haunt the youths now seems to be bothering employed
people of the minority community after riots spread to various parts of the state.
A number of people belonging to the minority community have allegedly lost their jobs after the Gujarat
riots started. Many allege that they were either sacked from the shops and establishments owned by
majority community or they have been asked to quit their jobs.
According to a statement of All-India Majlis-e-Tarneer-e-Millat (Gujarat zone), more than 100 people
belonging to the minority community, working in different parts of the city, have been rendered 'jobless.
The organisation claimed that even hawkers, who were earning their livelihood on the pavements, have
been forced to vacate from places dominated by the