BJP supporters giving communal colour to stray incidents across Gujarat: Governor told

DN Rath, Prakash N Shah

By A Representative
A Gujarat-based human rights group has expressed its “deep concern” that some stray incidents in different towns and cities in the State are being utilized by the ruling BJP to incite communal hatred.
In a letter to the Gujarat governor, Prakash N Shah, convenor, and Dwarikanath Rath, secretary, Movement for Secular Democracy (MSD) said, “There have been stray incidents in various places like Dhandhuka, Rajkot, Morbi, Deesa, Radhanpur, Ahmedabad, Pirana, etc. These incidents are independent of one another and have no connections at all. Further, these incidents are individual feuds.”
However, they regret, “Some communal elements, with the full backing and involvement of the ruling party, are trying to give them communal colour and vitiate the atmosphere of the State in such a manner that communal incidents erupt in every nook and corner like jungle fire.”
Pointing out that Gujarat has passed through many communal riots and tensions, and common people do not want any more of these, the letter says, “People wish to live with mutual cooperation, harmony and amity.”
Stating that communal elements want to take electoral advantage of stray incidents by giving them a communal touch, the letter insists, “These incidents are the subject of law and order situation in the state. Police and the administration need to take it in the same spirit, frustrating all attempts to rouse communal tension.”
Seeking the governor’s intervention in the matter, the letter adds, “If such incidents will go unchecked then the relative peace of the state will be hampered.”

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