The Hindu : National : AIDWA welcomes sentencing in Bilkis Bano case

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AIDWA welcomes sentencing in Bilkis Bano case

Special Correspondent

Wants State government to file an appeal against acquittals

NEW DELHI: The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) has welcomed the life sentence handed out to 11 of the accused persons who were convicted of raping Blkis Bano and murdering 14 of her family members during the communal carnage in Gujarat in 2002.

However, the sentence meted out to the accused policeman is inadequate. Also, some of the accused, including policemen, were let off citing insufficient evidence, a statement issued by AIDWA here on Wednesday said. It called upon the Gujarat government to file an appeal against the acquittal so that all the guilty persons would be punished for this gory crime.

The AIDWA also applauded the indefatigable courage of the victim, who was the only eye witness to survive the massacre.

Her resolute refusal to back down in the face of threats, or intimidation, and her determination to fight for justice despite the apathy of the Gujarat government has contributed to this significant conviction.

The role played by AIDWA activists in Gujarat at the time forced the police to register such cases of atrocities against women, and the campaign to secure justice for them has been waged unremittingly, it said.

The Association condemned the “obstructiveness” and active interference by the Modi government beginning with the reluctance to file an FIR, and the tacit support extended to the perpetrators, due to which justice, in this case, took six years.

After the verdict, Ms. Bano appealed for security to live a peaceful life in Gujarat, exposing the tremendous vulnerability that victims of violence fighting for justice are suffering from in that State.

The AIDWA demanded that victims of the Gujarat communal attacks, including brave women like Bilkis Bano, should be given adequate protection, both during and after the trial.

Speedy trial of all pending cases should be ensured so that the perpetrators do not escape punishment. The role of the officials who abetted the violence should be examined, and all abettors should be identified and given exemplary punishment.

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