Who in your opinion was responsible for the disturbing spate of attacks on minorities — Christians and Muslims — in Gujarat since February this year?
It is individuals not organisations that can be arrested and nailed. But one thing was clear in the pattern of incidents. It was the activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal activists who were taking law into their own hands which posed a serious danger to peace in Gujarat.

Many of the attacks on the minorities were after these organisations had whipped up local passions on mere allegations of conversions (by Christian missionaries) and allegedly forced inter–religious marriages, where again conversion was supposed to be the alleged motive.

What has been finding of police investigations?
Our investigations revealed that in most cases these were entirely baseless allegations. A lot of hue and cry was raised about forced marriages but most of the incidents highlighted by the media were found incorrect. Take, for instance, the incidents at Randhikpur town in Panchmahal district where two women were allegedly kidnapped by Muslim youths and terror unleashed on Muslims of the village by the VHP and Bajrang Dal workers. Investigations have revealed that the women had eloped with these youths of their own volition and one of them had already married her lover.

Incidents cases of forcible marriages were reported by the media in earlier years, too. Then, too, investigations showed the reports to be baseless.

How is the situation in Gujarat now?
Over the past six weeks or so, attacks have stopped completely. Most importantly, criminal cases have been lodged against offenders for each and every incident. There has been no fresh incident.

Some say the dramatic improvement in the situation has to do with your no nonsense stand and publicly identifying the assailants as belonging to the VHP and the BJP. Comment?
Such an inference can be drawn.

What action, if any, has been taken against those inciting people to violence through inflammatory
pamphlets and fiery speeches?
Unfortunately, we are talking at long distance, so it is difficult to provide a detailed list regarding these cases spread all over Gujarat. But I can say with reasonable confidence that all necessary legal steps have now been taken by the police in each of these cases. These include launching cases under sections 153a and 153b of the Indian Penal Code for incitement to violence.

Do you seriously expect the BJP government in the state to allow these investigations to proceed without interference? Local reports say the offenders acted with impunity boasting, "it is now our government both in Gujarat and in New Delhi"?
My job is to see that investigations are launched and carried out. So far this has happened. It is not for me to speculate about what will happen in future.

Have you not faced any pressure from the political bosses in the state?
I have faced no such pressure.