The Hindu : National : 'Golmal' in Godhra probe: Lalu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 20, 2004

National

National

'Golmal' in Godhra probe: Lalu

By Our Staff Reporter

MADURAI, SEPT. 19. The Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad, today accused the Narendra Modi Government of trying to manoeuvre investigation in the 2002 Godhra train carnage in which more than 50 people were killed.

"There is a `golmal' going on in Godhra. While the people want to know the exact cause of the fire and those responsible for it, the Gujarat Government is trying to create an impression that someone set off the blaze from outside.

``The possibility of intruders in the reserved coach of the Sabarmathi Express causing the fire cannot be ruled out," he said.

Mr. Lalu, who ordered a fresh probe into the Godhra fire tragedy recently, was speaking after flagging off the Madurai-Hazrat Nizamuddin Tamil Nadu Sampark Kranti Superfast Express here.

The high-power committee led by the former Supreme Court Judge, U.C. Banerjee, would look into all angles. "The Bharatiya Janata Party is now scared and perturbed. We are united in our fight against communal forces."

Social justice

Paying rich tributes to Periyar and Kamaraj, the Railway Minister said the social justice movement took shape in Tamil Nadu.

Politically sensitive

"The people here are politically sensitive and they should be prepared to drive away those spreading communal hatred. I am going to Rameswaram to pray to Lord Shiva to give me strength to fight fascist elements."

Referring to his maiden tour down the south after becoming the Railway Minister, Mr. Lalu said that when he and his wife Rabri Devi entered the State, the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, flew to New Delhi.

When a member of the audience asked whether she (Ms. Jayalalithaa) was scared, he said: "No fear. We have a good relationship and I adore her as my sister."

All along his hour-long speech, Mr. Lalu kept the listeners in good humour.

Half way through his English/Hindi talk, he paused for a while and said "My English is not so good because I was grazing cows and goats in Bihar. When you people watch Hindi movies and listen to Hindi songs, why not hear me speak in Hindi?" he said in his inimitable style.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News Update

Stories in this Section