Crime against Muslims in India seems no crime, says French newspaper
Brussels, August 28 (KMS): Commenting on India’s decision to release the convicts in the famous Bilquis Bano case, the leading French newspaper said that it appears that crimes committed against Muslims in India are not crimes.
‘La Libre’ a well-known French language newspaper in Belgium made this comment in its report on the plight of Muslims in India and the change in punishment for those who commit crimes against them.
In its report titled ‘Anti-Muslim program continues in India’, the newspaper wrote that the acquittal of 11 accused in the rape and murder of a Muslim family testified to the atmosphere of impunity against the oppressors of this religious minority.
Later commentator Emmanuel Darville gave the full context of the incident.
He continues his writing saying that this is something that India has forgotten.
A crime that resurfaced on August 15, 2022, when authorities in the state of Gujarat released 11 people sentenced to life in prison for the gang-rape and murder of 14 people, including a 3-year-old girl.
Only one woman, 21-year-old Bilquis Bano, who was pregnant at the time, survived, who was raped and left for dead.
After describing the February 28, 2002 incident in full detail, the paper criticized the role of the Hindu fundamentalist parties BJP and VHP, as well as the police and officials of state institutions.
The newspaper reported that a member of the commission set up for the release of these convicts had agreed to their early release and that the phrase was uttered by one of the accused that ‘the convicts are high caste Hindus, therefore they deserve to be released. Of particular note. ‘
The newspaper wrote that the release of Bilquis Bano’s rapists shows that Hindu fundamentalists can be rewarded with the connivance of authorities while condoning anti-Muslim crimes.
The turning point in Balquis Bano’s case is the latest episode in anti-Muslim hatred that has been brewing since Narendra Modi came to power in 2014.
The newspaper also mentioned the arrest of Teesta Setalvad and RB Sreekumar, two human rights activists who raised their voices against the decision.
The paper concludes that the prime minister has no interest in prosecution especially as he has never been questioned for his failure to prevent the 2002 Gujarat massacre.
