Daily Times

Sir: Though the American human rights organisation Centre for Justice announced a cash prize of $ 10,000 for any person able to personally serve a court summons on the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, the way Modi is escorted by his supporters and security guards it appears it will be a difficult task. Earlier on, the same organisation was active in charging Sonia Gandhi for Congress’ role in the anti-Sikh massacres in Delhi in 1984. As a head of government, Modi has received immunity from law suits in American courts. Regardless of the dim chance of his being summoned by the courts, some horrible scenes from the Gujarat inferno will keep haunting Modi wherever he goes. Even if we put his position as Gujarat Chief Minster or as Indian Prime Minster aside, is it not tragic that he has been absolved of any wrongdoing by none else than the Indian courts? The court acquitted him of a crime that involved the killings of more than 1,000 people, widespread looting and destruction of properties. If the courts were looking for a video showing Modi himself leading the rioters burning, looting and killing at will, they had better question their own credentials. Because if we follow this logic, most of the Nuremberg trials accused would had been released as they were not physically involved in the torturing and killing of Jewish inmates. Modi’s public relations team, his charm and his meetings with the Indian-American community and businessmen aside, a US visa ban imposed on Modi by the Bush administration no longer holds. It is high time for Modi to come forward and defend his stance and say that he was not personally responsible for the then Gujarat government’s inaction to stop the 2002 riots. When justice can follow Augusto Pinochet years after his retirement, why not the same for Narendra Modi?

MASOOD KHAN
Jubail
Saudi Arabia