The Hindu : All-religion team visits Godhra

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 03, 2002

National

National

All-religion team visits Godhra

Godhra April 2 .A 65-member all-religion delegation today visited Godhra and offered prayers for ushering in peace in trouble-torn Gujarat.

Nirmala Deshpande, noted Gandhian, who was a member of the delegation, told reporters that Gujarat was yet to witness peace since March 7, when she had first visited the State embroiled in violence.

``It was a very horrifying experience. We should consider why the embers have not cooled down yet in Gujarat. Why such riots are taking place in Gujarat,'' she asked, while appealing to the people to help restore normality in the State.

She also demanded action on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) report, but did not elaborate on it.

Another member, Aizaz Aslam, general secretary of the Jamaat-e-Islami-e-Hind, while holding the Gujarat Government responsible for the riots, alleged that minorities had been at the receiving end in the State and demanded a new law to provide security to the minorities and remove fear among them.

The delegation comprised, among others, Swami Agnivesh, Jain Muni, Amrendraji, Reverend Walson Thampu, Maulana Muhammed Madni of the Jamiat-ul-Ulema-e-Hind, Rafiq Qazmi and Sardar Kulmohan Singh.

They visited the charred second class reserved coach, S-6, of the Sabarmati Express, which was set afire by miscreants.

The delegation observed a two-minute silence to pay homage to the departed souls and sung songs of communal harmony, before raising slogans against communalism. The delegation also visited a couple of relief camps.

Later, they left for Kaalol and Derol on their way to Vadodara and Ahmedabad. — UNI

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National