Action against perpetrators of Guj riots demanded

New Delhi, Oct 27 (UNI) A host of people from across the social forum have expressed shock at the revelations made by the Tehelka expose on Gujarat and demanded action against the perpetrators of cold-blooded crimes against humanity.

In a statement, Sri Sri Ravi Shanker, Swami Agnivesh, Rev. Valson Thampu and other leaders of the Sarva Dharma Sansad said those responsible should be ex-communicated from the Hindufold as their conduct distorted and defamed the spirit of Hindu thought and philosophy.

They also warned that slogans like ''Hinduism is in danger'' were a ploy to mask self-seeking, criminalised politics under the cover of religion.

They exhorted the Government and the judicial system to act expeditiously in bringing out all criminals involved in this act of national shame to justice. They also praised the ''courage of the Tehelka journalist who took great risk to bring out the truth''.

Mr Syed Shahbauddin, president of the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat said the shocking report confirmed beyond doubt that the riots were not spontaneous but result of strategic planning and systematic organisation by Hindutva organisations.

He demanded that culprits who had confessed their crimes should be immediately arrested.

He also demanded that the Centre, the Supreme Court and the Nanavati Shah Commission, probing the riots, should take the expose into cognizance.

The Indian National League in a statement apprehended that secular and minorities may not be able to vote freely in the elections and hence called for deployment of para-military forces and police force of other states. It also urged the courts to take cognizance of the ''formidable body'' of evidence of the carnage.

The Shia Point expressed fears that the sting may actually help the Modi Government as it could lead to polarisation of votes.

Zaheer Zaidi of the organisation said,''Why the sting at this juncture? Innocent masses may get the message that Chief Minister Modi had extended valuable services to save Hindus from Muslims.'' Anhad, a rights organisation, also condemned the action taken against the TV channels airing the sting. It also demanded the withdrawal of charges against Aaj Tak journalist Dhimant Purohit on a complaint by Arvind Pandya, the state government counsel, who was caught on camera in the expose.

UNI