Anti-Adivasi and Anti-Dalit Actions

Anti-Adivasi and Anti-Dalit Actions

Narendra Modi’s actions have also impacted adivasis and dalits, as dams on the river Narmada have forcibly displaced hundreds of thousands across the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat, without their consent and without provisions for resettlement and rehabilitation. Sardar Sarovar, which Modi cites as Gujarat's majestic achievement, is a gigantic dam expected to displace 200,000 people and negatively impact another 200,000. Modi has used the dam's apparent 'success' to deflect attention from his government's complicity in the events of 2002.[61]

Anti-Christian Violence

Anti-Christian Violence

When Keshubhai Patel came to power as the BJP chief minister in 1998, violence against Christians escalated.[57] Between December 25, 1998 and January 03, 1999, in Dangs district, more than 20 churches were destroyed. Angry mobs assailed and robbed Christians, including in their homes. Human Rights Watch noted that the attacks in December and January were "preceded by escalating violence throughout the state in which many police and state officials were implicated."[58]

Although Muslims were the primary targets of violence in 2002, there are reports of Christians being attacked or robbed during the post-Godhra riots. According to a Human Rights Watch, Christians in Gujarat are still under "legislative, administrative, and physical assault" in 2003. Anti-Christian actions range from anti-conversion legislation in the state government, state sponsored surveys of Christians, and threats and physical assaults.[59] Organizations such as Christian Solidarity Worldwide and the All India Christian Council continue to document cases of widespread anti-Christian violence perpetrated by the Sangh.[60]

Ali Case Sentencing

Ali Case Sentencing

On February 23, 2005, an Ahmedabad court sentenced three persons, Varyansinh Bhatia, Manjitsinh Varyansinh and Rajesh Koshti, to four years imprisonment for stabbing Naseembibi Safar Ali, a pregnant woman, to death. The murder took place on February 28, 2002, in the Madhavpura area in the city of Ahmedabad.[56] This case was re-opened for investigation per the directive of the Supreme Court. The Gujarat Court’s decision starkly communicates the lack of value given to the life of Naseembibi Safar Ali, a pregnant Muslim woman. To find the male perpetrators guilty of murder and see fit to punish them with four year sentences makes a mockery of justice and aligns the state, perhaps once again, with the organized violence that was Gujarat in 2002.