Breaking the Silence

(unravelling the evidence)

When the state disbanded the Justice BN Srikrishna Commission in January 1996, it was a brazen effort at suppressing the evidence that had come before it. Between February  and April 1996 editors of Communalism Combat, Teesta Setalvad and Javed Anand wrote a series of articles published in newspapers in English, Hindi, Marathi and Urdu that outlined the incriminating evidence collected until then by the Commission.

It was no wonder that the Shiv Sena-BJP government wanted none of it. Evidence related to serious indictment of  both the Shiv Sena and sections of the Bombay police through statements and documentary evidence before the inquiry; how acts of violence were committed within 50 feet of substantial police presence at Antop Hill, Nirmal Nagarand other areas; how the Mahaartis proudly announced by both the BJP and SS, were efforts and brazen instigation that resulted in attacks on Muslim residences and business establishments.

The state was compelled to re-instate the Commission but has resisted all attempts to prosecute those found guilty.