TOI MUMBAI
17SEP2012
Ahmedabad: Just when chief minister Narendra Modi’s Sadbhavana juggernaut was
rolling across the state, his mission aimed at building a secular image
received a jolt when the Gujarat high court on February 8 directed the state
government to compensate the trusts running the religious structures damaged in
the post-Godhra riots in 2002.
The court’s observations were stinging, stating that the state government had failed to perform its constitutional duty. The state administration religiously started work as per the order. In fact, state officials hastened so much that even the petitioner, Islamic Relief Committee, which was expected to furnish details of damages to 535-odd shrines appealed for more time to gather the particulars.
While the survey continues and award amounts are being decided, the state government maintained its “secular” stand and moved the Supreme Court. The government refused to rebuild the damaged shrines saying that the State is secular and it cannot support a religious institution.
It has questioned the HC order on the same ground. TNN
The court’s observations were stinging, stating that the state government had failed to perform its constitutional duty. The state administration religiously started work as per the order. In fact, state officials hastened so much that even the petitioner, Islamic Relief Committee, which was expected to furnish details of damages to 535-odd shrines appealed for more time to gather the particulars.
While the survey continues and award amounts are being decided, the state government maintained its “secular” stand and moved the Supreme Court. The government refused to rebuild the damaged shrines saying that the State is secular and it cannot support a religious institution.
It has questioned the HC order on the same ground. TNN
