The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Conflicting stands

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Wednesday, Jan 26, 2005

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Conflicting stands

Sir, — Justice G.T. Nanavati, head of the two-member Commission appointed by the Gujarat Government to probe Godhra and its aftermath, has said it would be premature to conclude that the fire which killed 59 people aboard the Sabarmati Express in February 2002 was an accident.

This contradicts the findings of the U.C. Banerjee Comittee's interim report. What do we believe? The Centre should dissolve both the panels and constitute a new commission of inquiry, headed by a judge acceptable to all the major political parties.

K. Ramachandran,
Howrah, W.B.

* * *

Sir, — I would like to know the purpose of constituting more than one commission of inquiry to probe an incident. It is not only a waste of money but also defeats the purpose of any meaningful investigation.

K. Murlidar,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — The finding of the Banerjee Committee that the fire was caused accidentally is not convincing. A fire caused by a "half smoked cigarette thrown down carelessly, or a stove used for making tea not turned off properly" would have been noticed by passengers and extinguished immediately. Moreover, an accidental fire would not have grown into such a raging conflagration in such a short time.

K. John Mathai,
Kochi, Kerala

* * *

Sir, — Even while taking note of the Gujarat Government's inaction and its tacit approval of the post-Godhra violence, one cannot help wondering why a smouldering rag thrown by the mob on the Godhra station could not have dropped on the floor of the S-6 coach, rolled under the seat and started the fire on the fateful day. Is it not too early indeed to conclude it was an accident?

Siddarth Saranadh,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — The ultimate truth is: the truth on Godhra will never be fully known.

Shail S. Vora,
Gandhinagar, Gujarat

* * *

Sir, — To talk now about what actually happened in Godhra three years ago will do no good to anyone except politicians. The findings of the interim report and Justice Nanavati's observations, if anything, have only added to the embittered feelings of the two communities. The need of the hour is to promote harmony, not distrust.

Aditi Bhandari,
Ferozepur, Punjab

* * *

Sir, — Let the people, without going into the findings of various committees, treat bygones as bygones. They should keep their cool while choosing their candidates in future elections, evaluating their credibility, and help douse the smouldering embers of communal fire.

Joy Eapen,
Vennikulam, Kerala

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