There was more than collusion between the accused and the authorities. In several cases, documented by IB and published in the media, the authorities themselves were complicit in the rioting. Chief minister Narendra Modi's claim that he did everything possible to quell the riots amounts therefore to brazen falsehood. Having won a handsome mandate in the polls, the BJP has invested Modi with the moral authority to comment as he thinks fit.
It is true that Modi won a handsome mandate. It is also true that after any event having a major impact on society, the CM is constitutionally justified in seeking a fresh mandate from the people. BJP leaders led by law minister Arun Jaitley invoked this convention and, pointing to Modi's handsome poll victory, claimed a clean chit for the latter. The voters had spoken and justified Modi's role. Does this mean that democracy has judged Modi to be blameless?
Not quite. If democracy hadn't been subverted, Modi would have been wiped out. Democracy was subverted by the central government's failure to dismiss Modi and impose President's rule in Gujarat. Official intelligence reports had confirmed that not only was the police operation to quell the riots woefully inadequate but also that some ministers in the government actually promoted the rioting. After that, the Centre had no option really but to immediately dismiss Modi. Democratic norms made that step imperative. It did not dismiss him. Had it done so, Modi's political problems and approach would have been quite different.
Imagine the scenario. Modi would have been dismissed and the Centre through the governor would have had the responsibility of restoring law and order and ensuring justice for the riot victims. Many bureaucrats and police officials would have faced inquiries. Instead of continuing in their posts, several ministers would have been prosecuted. Fear among the people would have been replaced by hope, by a sense of vindication.
After a few months of operation clean-up, the elections could have been held. How would Modi have fared? One can safely say the results would have been very different.
(Puri can be reached at rajinderpuri2000@yahoo.com)
