The release of 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case of 2002 Gujarat riots by Gujarat government have come under sharp criticism from rights activists.
The convicts, who were serving life imprisonment, were freed on the occasion of Independence Day under the state government's remission policy. They were received with sweets and garlands outside the jail. They paid a visit to the RSS office in Godhra before leaving for their homes in various towns and villages of Panchmahals.
During post-Godhra riots of 2002, Bilkis Bano, then 21-year-old and five-month pregnant, was gang-raped, and her three-year-old daughter was killed along with six members of her family in Dahod district.
The release came within hours of Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of the Independence Day, during which he spoke at length on “naari shakti” and respecting women.
In June, the Centre had issued guidelines to the state government, asking them not to include rape convicts under the special release policy.
Human rights lawyer Shamshad Pathan pointed out that this was a case of heinous rape and murder and sought to know why only convicts in the riots case were released. There are so many prisoners, who have completed their sentences, but have not been released, he said.
“It is a shame for democracy,” said Dev Desai of the NGO ANHAD, headed by Shabnam Hashmi. Calling the release “an insult to women,” he said the BJP has repeatedly been forced to prove that it is “Hindutvawadi” as it is failing on other fronts.
The 11 accused were sentenced to life by the special CBI Court in Mumbai in 2008. The order was upheld by the Mumbai High Court.
After having spent 15 years behind the bars, one of the convicts had approached the apex court, seeking release. The court asked the Gujarat government to look into the remission of the sentence of the petitioner.
Sujal Mayatra, Panchmahals collector, who headed the committee, told THE WEEK that they looked into the number of years the convicts spent behind the bars and their behaviour, among other things. The recommendation was sent to the state government and the release orders were received on Independence Day.
In 2019, the Supreme Court had ordered Gujarat government to pay a compensation of Rs 50 lakh and give a job and house to Bilkis. She stays in Panchmahals with her family.
Two of the convicts told a section of media that they were victims of politics. Even after the release, they pleaded that they were innocent and were framed.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi too criticised the release of the convicts. At a press conference in Hyderabad, he said the country is watching how the BJP only gives lip service to women’s empowerment and respect for women.
Sources in the know of the development say that more voices are expected against the BJP-ruled Gujarat government’s move of releasing the convicts.
Bilkis could not be reached for comments due to security issues.
