Nanavati Commission report and how media added fuel to the fire in Gujarat

Bengaluru: Earlier this week, the report of the Nanavati Commission, which probed the burning of the Sabarmati Express in 2002 was tabled in the Gujarat Assembly. The report gave a clean chit to the then chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, BJP, police, Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. We take a look at a few details of this report, as Simplified by Ajay Joseph.

Earlier this week, the report of the Nanavati Commission, which probed the burning of the Sabarmati Express in 2002 was tabled in the Gujarat Assembly. The report gave a clean chit to the then chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, BJP, police, Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

The Commission trashed the evidence that was provided by former IPS officers, Sanjiv Bhat and others. Let us examine the factors that were taken into account by the Commission while clearly sating that there was no conspiracy involved in the riots that followed and it was largely the anger over the Godhra train burning incident.

What is the Nanavati Commission:

At first a one-man commission headed by Justice KG Shah was set up. This was later expanded and was headed by Justice GT Nanavati.

The commission inquired into events leading to the train burning incident and the incidents of violence that took place in its aftermath. Its score expanded in 2004 and included an inquiry into the role of police officers, individuals, government and organisations. The commission also dealt with the fact whether Godhra was a pre-planned incident.

The final report:

The final report was submitted in 2014 to chief minister Anandiben Patel. One of the witnesses in the case and retired DGP RB Sreekumar had petitioned the Gujarat high court seeking its tabling. The government told the court that it would be tabled in the upcoming Assembly session, which is currently ongoing. It said that the report was voluminous and needed to be carefully examined. The final report runs into 2,500 pages.

Evidence against Modi and others trashed:

The evidence that was given by retired IPS officers Sreekumar, Rahul Sharma and Sanjiv Bhat was trashed. They had alleged complicity on part of the government and its functionaries.

The commission also held that the evidence against the then minister of state for Home, Gordhan Zadaphia, was false. The commission made it clear that there was no conspiracy involved in the riots. The riots were due to the anger over the train burning incident.

The commission also quoted Modi having said that he was being kept informed. He was also informed about the steps being taken to control the sudden violent situation. The state had immediately deployed forces that included the paramilitary forces and military.

No evidence of negligence:

There is no incident to show that either the BJP, VHP or any other political party, leaders or any religious organisations or their leaders had instigated attacks on Muslims. Only in two cases, it was alleged that VHP persons had taken part in incidents. The incidents against the Muslims appear to have happened due to the anger of the people on account of the Godhra incident. Anti-social elements appear to have participated; the commission noted.

A caution for the media:

The commission cited testimonies accusing the media of giving wide publicity to the Godhra incident and also the incidents that took place in its aftermath. The commission said that the media publicity for the people excited those, who in turn indulged in communal violence.

The Commission said that reasonable restrictions be placed upon media in the matter of publication of reports about incidents during communal riots.