The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Justice at last

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Thursday, Jan 24, 2008
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Justice at last

It is heartening that justice has at last been done to Bilkis Bano, who was gang raped and whose family members were massacred during the post-Godhra riots of 2002. But the question is: what next? The verdict will be appealed. The disposal of the appeal will take at least another couple of years. Bilkis, her husband and the witnesses who deposed in the case, will require adequate protection, given the high stakes involved for those convicted.

They will do everything to break the young woman’s determination. Thankfully the verdict has come at a time when it appeared that the riot victims had been relegated to the background, especially after Narendra Modi’s landslide in the Gujarat Assembly elections.

Manish Manglani,

New Delhi

* * *

As pointed out in the editorial “Beyond the Bilkis Bano case” (Jan. 23), the young woman deserves our wholehearted appreciation for pursuing the case with courage and determination. The State government should ensure the safety of her and her husband.

Though the loss of their family members cannot be compensated by anything, they should be given some monetary compensation. At no point of time should they be made to regret their decision to struggle for justice.

R. Ponnarassi,

Vellore

* * *

Bilkis says she fears for her life even after 11 of the accused have been sentenced to life imprisonment, and that it is the state’s responsibility to ensure her security. It is futile to expect our leaders and political parties who use riot victims’ plight to get votes to help in protecting her. Instead, those who have faith in secularism, women’s organisations and NGOs can raise a special security force and legal cell for protecting riot-affected victims like Bilkis.

V. Sriram,

Coimbatore

* * *

It was only because of the judiciary’s order transferring the Bilkis Bano case from Gujarat to Maharashtra that justice was rendered to the unfortunate woman.

Riot victims hardly see justice done because all governments are insensitive to their plight. Had the judiciary not intervened, Bilkis would have been among the thousands awaiting justice.

A.V. Ramana Rao,

Miryalaguda

* * *

Bilkis Bano deserves praise for her indomitable spirit. Her determined fight against heavy odds, including the Gujarat government’s repeated attempts to protect the perpetrators of the crime for six long years, was heroic.

Unfortunately, the Central government did not even deem it fit to supervise the progress of the investigations to prevent the miscarriage of justice. It was the judiciary which intervened to do that. In the western world, Bilkis would have been the proud recipient of the highest award. Our nation does not even recognise such a heroic deed for a national award.

Kattari Anand Naidu,

Chennai

* * *

I feel Bilkis should be conferred with a bravery award for fighting against all odds patiently since 2002 to bring the criminals to book.

H. Murugesh,

Coimbatore

* * *

One thing that has clearly emerged from the Bilkis Bano and the Best Bakery cases are: it is not possible to commit heinous crimes as the ones committed during the Gujarat riots without the help and support of the government.

Vishaal Vyas,

Hyderabad

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