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The untimely launch of 11 convicts within the 2002 Bilkis Bano gangrape case has turn into a part of political and electoral discourse in Gujarat in run-up to the subsequent month’s Meeting polls with the opposition Congress mentioning concerning the episode in its ballot manifesto and vowing to make sure justice to the survivor.
A piece of observers and activists feels the 20-year-old concern and the most recent improvement will assist the opposition social gathering in getting votes, whereas others imagine it should go away no impression within the Meeting elections to be held in December 1 and 5.
In its ballot manifesto unveiled a number of day in the past, the Congress mentioned it could revoke the remission granted by the state authorities to the 11 convicts, sentenced to life imprisonment in 2008 within the 2002 Bilkis Bano case by a Mumbai courtroom.
Following the remission, these 11 males convicted within the case walked out of the Godhra sub-jail on August 15.
Bilkis Bano was a resident of Randhikpur village of tribal-dominated Dahod district, which falls underneath the Limkheda Meeting seat, at the moment held by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Occasion (BJP).
Kaleem Siddiqui, a outstanding activist who has opposed the reduction granted to the convicts, mentioned the Congress’ stand on the difficulty has “consolidated” Muslim votes in its favour and prevented these electors from going in direction of the Aam Aadmi Occasion (AAP) or the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) led by Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi.
Gujarat Congress working president Jignesh Mevani, one of the vocal voices on the episode, believes although the social gathering’s stand was essential to guarantee minorities, it could not fetch votes as a result of the difficulty was not raised for getting political or electoral mileage.
Nevertheless, each really feel the early launch of convicts is just not a outstanding election concern in Gujarat.
In response to Siddiqui, the impression of the remission concern, which has now reached the Supreme Court docket, shall be felt extra in Panchmahal and Dahod districts, which have a substantial variety of Muslim voters.
“The way in which Jignesh Mevani had raised this concern, even within the presence of Rahul Gandhi, a sentiment was constructed amongst Muslims that somebody had a minimum of raised their concern. Nevertheless, Hindus see this from a communal angle. Had they thought of it a problem of violence on girls, the Bilkis Bano case and subsequent remission of the convicts would have turn into an enormous concern,” he mentioned.
In September, Siddiqui and different activists had organised a foot-march, “Bilkis Bano Apology Padyatra”, from Randhikpur until Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad to protest the early launch of the convicts. Nevertheless, the yatra couldn’t be completed as organisers didn’t have prior permission for the protest march from authorities.
“Since Aam Aadmi Occasion leaders remained silent and prevented commenting over this concern in Gujarat, frequent Muslims turned alert as they realised that regardless of having a number of flaws, the Congress was nonetheless standing with them. As a result of solely Congress leaders have brazenly criticised the BJP on this concern, each at state in addition to nationwide degree,” he mentioned.
In response to him, native Muslims are sad with the AIMIM for not doing something concrete just like the Congress.
“Earlier, it was believed Muslim votes will get divided between the AAP and the AIMIM. Even Muslims had been contemplating to vote for the AAP for what the social gathering was providing. However, this (remission) concern has truly performed a key function in consolidating Muslim votes in favour of the Congress. Now, there may be larger readability amongst Muslims on whom to decide on on this election,” said Siddiqui.
Mevani, who has repeatedly attacked the state’s BJP authorities for untimely launch of the convicts, admits frequent residents don’t get emotionally concerned with such points.
With inputs from News18
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