Pallbearers of Justice

In immediate response to the agony and outrage generated by the massacre of innocent citizens post demolition of the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya in 1992-1993, the Indian People’s Human Rights Commission set up the people’s tribunal to investigate the violence and collect evidence. Justices SM Daud and Hosbet Suresh conducted the inquiry.

Between February and June 1993, the tribunal visited affected areas and recorded evidence, ably assisted by activists and organisations across Bombay. The tribunal collected 2046 statements in all, apart from collecting reports from journalists, activists and organisations. The report, People’s Verdict released in July 1993 apart from making valuable recommendations, identified accused rioters and 75 policemen guilty of criminal negligence, named by witnesses.

The state government announced the constitution of a judicial commission of inquiry through a sitting judge of the Bombay High Court, Justice BN Srikrishna to investigate the violence on January 17 though the Commission was formally established on January 25, 1993. On February 16, 1998 the Judge submitted his report that identified the Shiv Sena, its chief Bal Thackeray and their political allies, the BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP) as those responsible for the conspiracy to commit violence, specifically naming 31 policemen guilty of criminal negligence who deserved to be prosecuted. Though the SS-BJP government was voted out of power in 1999 in Maharashtra, few of the recommendations of the Commission have been implemented by the Congress-NCP governments that have governed since.

On January 23, 1996 soon after riding to power in the state, the SS-BJP combine had scrapped the Justice BN Srikrishna Commission. Outraged protests by citizens beginning with a dharna by several organisations at HutatmaChowk on January 30, 1996 and a petition filed by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties led the Central government under Prime Minister Vajpayee to re-instate it on May 28,    1996.

The report of the Commission remains a sorry testimony to the violence that engulfed Bombay. Sabrang was proud to publish the report in two editions within weeks of the report being submitted to the state government in 1998 and making it available at affordable prices. This was possible due to the individual contributions of Sabrang patrons. The non prosecution of those found guilty has ensured not just their impunity but has contributed to the stranglehold of the Shiv Sena’s –and sister organisations -- brand of violence and intimidation over Mumbai.