AKHIL BHARATIYA PRATINIDHI SABHA, (15, 16, 17 MARCH 2002)
Janaseva Vidya Kendra, Magadi Road, Channenahalli, Bangalore - 562 310

The ABPS strongly condemns the horrible, ghastly Godhra massacre and feels it imperative to present it in the proper perspective.

From the details available from Gujarat newspapers and other impartial sources it is obvious
that on 27th February it was an unprovoked and premeditated attack on Sabarmati Express
carrying peaceful - devout Ramsevaks returning from Ayodhya. It is evident from the ganging up of about 2000 strong Muslim mob fully equipped with petrol cans, acid bulbs, swords, stones etc. The Sabarmati Express was deliberately stopped, heavily stoned; and when the passengers closed the doors to protect themselves from the heavy stoning, the Muslim mob threw the petrol bulbs inside the bogie setting it on fire. As a result, men, women and children inside, nearly 60 in number, were burnt alive.

The reaction of this murderous incident in Gujarat was natural and spontaneous. The entire Hindu society cutting across all divisions of party, caste and social status reacted. It is unfortunate that a number of people died in the violence that erupted. But, certain political parties in their usual greed to garner enbloc Muslim votes turned a blind eye to the original action and only shouted against the resultant reaction linking it with Ayodhya movement. This has hurt the Hindu psyche deeply.

The same jehadi mentality was evident in the attacks on World Trade Centre and Pentagon in America on September 11, 2001 and on the Parliament of Bharat on December 13. The same mentality was discernible in the attacks on the Amarnath Yatra during last July, on Jammu and Kashmir assembly in Srinagar on October 1st, on American centre in Kolkata on January 22, on pilgrims proceeding to Sabarimalia and on Hindus in the Kozhikode district. The massacre of Sikhs in Jammu and Kashmir and desecration of Hindu temples in Karnataka also betray the working of the same sinister mentality.

Although, a few Muslim leaders hold the current interpretation of Jehad as absolutely wrong and in no way support the jehadi terrorism, it should be admitted that these people have not been able to influence the present day extremist jehadi leaders and stubborn mullahs and maulavis.

The ABPS wants to make it clear that it does no credit to the Muslim community to allow themselves to be made pawns in the hands baiting political elements. Let the Muslims understand that their real safety lies in the goodwill of the majority.

The ABPS also urges the media to project the incidents in their truthful perspective and

help in setting the right trend in restoring national harmony. The ABPS also appeals to all our countrymen to be alert towards such aggresive communal elements and try their best to avert any such elements from getting an upper hand and thereby rupturing the social fabric of the country.