A New Report, Truth Of Kasganj Says A Specific Community Was Targeted
Image Credits: India Today, Outlook India
  • Whatsapp
  • Telegram
  • Linkedin
  • Print
  • koo
  • Whatsapp
  • Telegram
  • Linkedin
  • Print
  • koo
  • Whatsapp
  • Telegram
  • Linkedin
  • Print
  • koo

Following the massive communal violence that broke out in Kasganj, on Republic Day of 2018, a report prepared by prominent civil rights activists has been released on August 29 which alleges that police probe into the violence was “grossly compromised.” The report, named “Truth of Kasganj”, reportedly also alleges that there were several “inconsistencies” in the police’s version of violence as has been documented in two separate FIRs.

The report, which is based on a study of the police reports, first-person accounts of those affected, and on-ground visits, was released by activists Sandeep Pandey, Teesta Setalvad, former IPS officer S.R. Darapuri, lawyer Shoaib Mohammad, academician Apoorvanand. Along with them, Supreme Court lawyer, Prashant Bhushan was also to attend the meeting, but due to other commitments, could not do so, News18 reported.


What does the report say?

The report broadly highlighted the fact that both the FIRs that had been filed were “full of inaccuracies and contradictions.” According to The Hindu, the report stated, “The independent investigation exposes the police attempt to frame the Muslims, against whom there is no evidence, and to protect the Hindus, against whom there is substantial evidence.” Moreover, it stated that it was the Hindus who caused the violence at Abdul Hameed Chowk where Muslims were preparing for a flag-hoisting ceremony on Republic Day.

The activists mentioned in the report that “Muslims were selectively targeted in the wake of the communal clashes”. They also concluded that “discriminatory delivery of justice” to favour and protect certain people, based on a “majoritarian agenda”, reported News18. The group of activists also alleged that there were several inconsistencies in the police probe as well. Reportedly, the holes and inconsistencies in police probe include “wrong timing of starting of the scuffle, place where the clashes began, an incorrect distance of the crime scene from the police station and the delay in filing of an FIR, 12 hours after the violence.”


Demands that were made by the activists

A number of specific demands were also made by the release to the Uttar Pradesh government which include terminating the current prosecution of the two charge sheets, file a fresh petition at the Allahabad High Court seeking a new police investigation which is to be monitored by the court, constituting a high-level inquiry into the whole case as well as police failure, withdraw the “fraudulent” criminal charges against Muslims; and “arrest the Hindus from the motorcycle rally and investigate their role in the violence,” reported The Hindu.


The Kasganj incident

Violence erupted in Kasganj district of Uttar Pradesh where two groups pelted stones at each other on Friday, Republic Day, during a “Tiranga Bike Rally” by activists of the RSS-backed students’ group ABVP and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Reports suggest that locals were celebrating Republic Day and asked the members of the Tiranga Yatra to wait till the celebrations were over or join them. In the video footages, the members of the rally were heard saying that they won’t change the route. They were screaming slogans and said that everyone will have to chant “Vande Mataram” if they wish to live in India. The violence started soon after. Stone pelting followed and gunshots were fired.Chandan Gupta, a youth, was killed in the clashes, while 28 Muslims were arrested.


Also Read: Police And Administration Played A Partisan Role, Says Fact-Finding Report On Kasganj Violence

Contributors Suggest Correction
Editor : The Logical Indian

Must Reads