From Daijiworld's special correspondent
Panaji, Apr 8: The blame game in Goa is getting much murkier with All India Milli council (AIMC) blaming Sangh Parivar for Sanvordem violence and BJP demanding action against the AIMC.
A fact-finding report by All India Milli Council (AIMC), a muslim organization, has evoked strong criticism from BJP, which has demanded action against the AIMC's committee.
The report which was distributed to the media on Thursday is an offshoot of observations by a committee headed by supreme court lawyer Nandita Haksar, who has blatantly blamed political parties for the violence.
The 100-page report inked by this committee ponders into various events related to the Muslim community in the state. The events, according to BJP, has no relation to the Sanvordem violence on March 3.
Sanvordem, a small town in south Goa, witnessed unprecedented violence for two days following clashes between two communities after demolition of a disputed structure housing madarassa. This was the first-ever communal clash Goa has witnessed.
AIMC's report reads: Our investigations have revealed that from the 1990's Muslims in Goa have been systematically denied their human rights guaranteed under the Indian Constitution. We were shocked to learn the extent of discrimination against Muslims by the state and the prejudice within the society.
The report cites a few instances like setting on fire a mosque at Porvorim and throwing handgrenade at a mosque in Mardol.
The BJP leaders, however, contested the report terming it "false, pervert and anti-Hindu." Said former chief minister Manohar Parrikar, "No handgrenade was thrown at the mosque. It was just a fire-cracker which went off near the mosque. The committee should have verified their facts. By penning such a report, they are inciting communal violence in Goa."
"All those involved in this report should be booked under section 153 (A) for inciting communal violence," Parrikar demanded adding, "I will write to the chief secretary seeking action against the committee members."
The AIMC's report also blames Congress government in the state for its inability to give solace to the violence-torn Muslim families in Sanvordem.