Bilkis case: Three Muslim MLAs request President to revoke Gujarat decision to release 11 convicts
Ahmedabad, Aug 20: Three Gujarat Congress MLAs have written to President Droupadi Murmu seeking her direction to the state government to withdraw its "shameful decision" to release the 11 convicts serving a life sentence in the 2002 Bilkis Bano case.
The three MLAs- Gyasuddin Shaikh, Imran Khedawala and Javed Pirzada- have written a letter to the President, Shaikh said on Saturday.
"Gujarat Congress MLAs @Gyasuddin_INC, @Imran_khedawala and Javed Pirzada wrote a letter to the President of India Draupadi Murmu regarding Bilkis Bano case," stated a post on Shaikh's Twitter handle with a copy of the letter.
The letter stated the "shameful decision" of the Gujarat BJP government ordering the release of the 11 convicts in the case of gang rape of Bilkis Bano and murder of seven members of her family has "tarnished the day (on which such a decision was taken)."
"Even though the Central Government has a clear guideline that rape convicts serving life imprisonment should not be released under the policy of pardon, the BJP government of Gujarat has shown its insensitivity by pardoning the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang rape case. This is a disappointing decision for those struggling to get justice," said the letter.
It said the convicts in the Bilkis Bano case should be given the harshest punishment for the crime of gang rape and the murder of seven members of her family, including her three-year-old daughter, during the 2002 Gujarat communal riots.
"On the contrary, the BJP government of Gujarat has pardoned the perpetrators of such heinous crimes," it said.
On August 15, all the 11 convicts sentenced to life imprisonment in the 2002 case of Bilkis Bano's gang rape and murder of her seven family members during the communal riots walked out of the Godhra sub-jail after the BJP government in Gujarat allowed their release under its remission policy, drawing a sever flak from Opposition parties.
They were released after the Supreme Court directed the government to consider the plea of the convicts for relief under the state's 1992 remission policy.
A special CBI court in Mumbai on January 21, 2008, sentenced to life imprisonment all the 11 accused in the case for the murder of seven family members of Bilkis Bano, a riots survivor, and her gang rape. Their conviction was later upheld by the Bombay High Court.
These convicts had served more than 15 years in prison after which one of them approached the Supreme Court with a plea for his premature release.
The apex court had directed the Gujarat government to look into the issue of remission of his sentence as per its 1992 policy based on the date of his conviction. Thereafter, the government formed a committee which decided to allow the release of all the convicts.
On March 3, 2002, Bilkis Bano's family was attacked by a mob at Randhikpur village in Limkheda taluka of the Dahod district. Bilkis, who was five months pregnant at the time, was gang raped and seven members of her family were killed during the riots triggered by the Godhra train burning incident.
बिलकिस बानो केस को लेकर गुजरात कांग्रेस के विधायक @Gyasuddin_INC साहब,@Imran_khedawala, जावेद पीरजादा साहब ने भारत के महामहिम राष्ट्रपति द्रौपदी मुर्मू को पत्र लिखा@aajtak @Zee24Kalak @GSTV_NEWS @abpasmitatv @ndtvindia @ZeeNews @indiatvnews @zeesalaamtweet pic.twitter.com/cMgqMpPgCh
— Gyasuddin Shaikh MLA (@Gyasuddin_INC) August 19, 2022
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Vijay secures majority support, set to stake claim to form Tamil Nadu govt
Chennai: After four days of political uncertainty and intense negotiations in Tamil Nadu, actor-politician Vijay is learnt to have secured the numbers required to form the government, sources said.
Supporters gathered outside Vijay’s residence in Chennai on Friday evening, raising slogans in support of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam soon after reports emerged that the party had managed to secure majority support.
Sources said Vijay is expected to meet Tamil Nadu Governor R. V. Arlekar on Friday evening to stake claim to form the government. The meeting is likely to take place around 6 pm.
In its electoral debut in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, TVK won 108 out of the 234 seats, dealing a major blow to the 62-year political dominance of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
However, Governor Arlekar had reportedly made it clear that the party would not be invited to form the government without proving a clear majority. Even after two rounds of discussions on Wednesday and Thursday, the Governor is learnt to have maintained his stand that letters of support from at least 118 MLAs must be submitted in the 234-member Assembly.
Apart from Vijay, TVK had the backing of 107 MLAs. Vijay had contested from Tiruchy (East) and Perambur constituencies and won both seats, meaning he would have to resign from one seat before taking oath. This increased the need for additional support.
Amid the political developments, five MLAs from the Congress party, which reportedly moved away from the DMK-led alliance, extended support to Vijay. Vijay also held discussions with leaders of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India.
The VCK, CPI(M) and CPI had so far been allies of the DMK. At the same time, political discussions intensified in the state over speculation that the DMK could even explore a post-poll understanding with its long-time rival AIADMK to prevent an alternative government from taking shape.
Reports had been circulating since Friday afternoon that the VCK and Left parties were likely to support Vijay. Sources later said that the VCK, CPI(M) and CPI agreed to extend the support of two MLAs each, helping TVK cross the required majority mark.
All eyes are now on the Governor’s next move and the official announcement regarding the formation of the new government in Tamil Nadu.
