Gujarat govt seeks death penalty for Hindu convicts of Ode riot, VHP protests

Ahmedabad, 6 September 2012

The Gujarat government recently approached the high court to enhance the punishment of 27 Hindu convicts of Ode riot case from life imprisonment to death penalty.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), the sister organization of the ruling BJP has opposed such move.

VHP general secretary Ranchhod Bharwad has demanded that the Modi government should withdraw the “barbaric” appeal immediately with a special review petition.

“Hindus were victims, as 58 of them were burnt alive in the train at Godhra. The master conspirator of that massacre has not been punished. Rather than understanding the pain and agony of the families of convicts, it seems that the Gujarat government is bent upon punishing Hindus in the strictest way. This is not the only case where the Gujarat government is seen influencing the judiciary to victimise Hindus,” Bharwad said.

“This recent appeal by Gujarat government specially demanding death penalty for Hindu convicts of the Ode Case who have already got life imprisonment, is another such perverted anti-Hindu move. VHP will help all Hindus fight cases where they are victimised,” he added.

Related external link:Gujarat seeks death for Ode killing accused