Other States - Gujarat

AIDWA seeks Modi's dismissal

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE May 24. The All-India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) has demanded dismissal of the Modi Government in Gujarat and imposition of President's rule in the State.

The general secretary of the association, Brinda Karat, told presspersons here on Friday that "the State-sponsored communal carnage has utterly subverted the process of law and justice in the State.'' The AIDWA was concerned over the ``unprecedented sexual violence against women of the minority community''. Two months after the tragedy, only three first information reports had been filed. Women's organisations wanted "national condemnation of the sexual violence'' and the arrest of the guilty. Special courts had to be set up to try these cases.

Ms. Karat said in international jurisprudence, for trials of mass killings on ethnic lines, the rules of evidence had been reformulated. "We must apply those norms here.'' Since many rape victims had been burnt to death, there had to be added emphasis on eyewitness statements.

The official toll was less than 1,000, including those who were killed in police firing. The Government has demanded DNA samples from women for identifying their missing husbands and fathers. Others were asked for "proof of death" which was "any available body part." How could the Government punish these traumatised women, she asked. Most widows and orphans were yet to get compensation. In cases of "recognised death", the amount was a maximum of Rs.1 lakh. Of this, only Rs. 40,000 was given in cash, and the rest was given as Government bonds for the Narmada Dam project.

Women's organisations wanted special rehabilitation packages for widows and women with missing male relatives. "We did try to meet the Prime Minister, but he did not have time,'' Ms. Karat said.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Entertainment | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• CPI(M) demands President's rule in Gujarat
• RSS, Muslim leaders to meet
• AIDWA seeks Modi's dismissal

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu