Will Modi Ever Come Out of the Shadow of the Riots?

Bangalore: While there isn’t an end in sight for the legal battle over the 2002 Gujarat riots, the chances of Narendra Modi gaining a clear image seems to be far from a reality. Can the SIT clean chit to Modi get him out of the shadow of riots? Will the court decision strengthen the mounting popularity of Narendra Modi?

The Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) has found no evidence against Narendra Modi and 57 others in the complaint filed against them by Zakia Jafri in the 2002 Gujarat riots. Zakia Jafri had accused the chief minister of offering the rioters a free hand during the Gulbarg society. Zakia’s husband, Ehsan Jafri, an ex-Parliamentarian and a senior Congress leader, was among the 68 persons killed in the Gulbarg Housing Society in one of the worst post-Godhra riots.

However, the case is not closed yet and this judgment cannot be called the final word on the prolonged legal battle over Modi’s alleged involvement during the riots that killed thousands, mostly Muslims, were killed. The final decision on the SIT recommendation for closure of proceedings against Modi has to wait another round of hearings beginning on May 10. In their relentless pursuit of justice for the riot victims, Zakia Jafri and Social activist Teesta Setalvad have pledged to “fight it out” and “fight to the finish.”