By IOL South Asia Correspondent

New Delhi, July 2 (IslamOnline)- Indian National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Tuesday July 2 demanded the Gujarat government that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-organised Gujarat Gaurav yatra (pride march) from July 4 is conducted so that “the innocent residents of the state are not exposed, yet again, to violence or the threat to violence.”

The traditional annual Jagannath Rath Yatra also begins from July 12 at 70 locations. A major religious procession of the majority Hindus, the rath yatra begins from a temple dedicated to Hindu deity Lord Jagannath, in Jamalpur at Ahmedabad, the capital city of Gujarat.

Caparisoned elephants and beautifully-decked up trucks carrying devotees form a part of the procession with three trundling chariots pulled by the devout amid the singing of bhajans (hymns) and beating of drums. This year’s rath yatra has special significance as it is the 125th annual event in the communally hyper-sensitive Ahmedabad city. Violence-hit Gujarat is yet to return to normal and the battered Muslims still long for the elusive peace.

Aware of the violence potential of the yatras, the NHRC reminded the government that in 1985 and 1992 the Jagannath rath yatra ended in large-scale rioting, and the deployment of the army in the city. NHRC’s Special Rapporteur, PGJ Nampoothri in his report expressed apprehension that the yatras could again flare up communal violence in the state. The report also said that Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi’s yatras might be countered by rival rallies and that “the situation could become volatile for this reason as well.”

“Those who are responsible for the promotion of communal harmony and the maintenance of law and order should discharge their duties in accordance with the Constitution and the relevant statutory provisions, or be answerable for such acts of omission or commission that result in the violation of the law and the right to life, liberty, equality and dignity of their fellow human beings,” NHRC warned the state government in no uncertain terms.

State chief minister Narendra Modi would be embarking July 4 on the yatras atop a high-tech rath (motorised chariot). The rath yatra would be flagged off by the Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani.

The rath would be equipped with a public address system and will have a collapsible platform. The yatra is slated for Friday, Saturday and Sunday of every week and would last until all the 25 districts of the state are covered.

Narendra Modi, according to documents in Gujarati language prepared for the yatra, has been introduced as “Lok Hriday Samrat Ane Sardar Patel Jeva lokhandi manobal dharavta aadhunik Gujarat gaurav-drushtaa, Mukhya Mantri Shri Narendrabhai Modi” (The king of the hearts of the people and the possessor of the iron will of Sardar Patel, visionary and pride of Gujarat, CM Narendra Modi).

To prove his and the party’s secular credentials Modi would try to tell the people how “in keeping with Gujarat’s proud tradition,” 7,000 Haj pilgrims were given a peaceful entry in the state. And how more than 1,000 tazia (Muharram) processions were taken out despite the riots. This is exactly what Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had claimed during his party’s national conclave in Goa as to how Bharat (India) permitted the Muslims to perform their prayers and practice their religion.

The principal opposition Congress Party has sharply reacted to Narendra Modi’s plan to take out the yatras. Congress President Sonia Gandhi expressed outrage in a letter to the Prime Minister and reminded him, “On numerous occasions, you have expressed your resolve to maintain peace and harmony in our society. I hope that you will take the constructive step of dissuading the Gujarat chief minister from undertaking the Gaurav Rath Yatra.”

“As you are aware, the National Human Rights Commission, the National Commission for Minorities and other agencies have held certain organizations responsible for the violence in Gujarat. I believe that these very organizations will receive undue encouragement from this yatra and the sense of insecurity among minorities will increase. Such a yatra is likely to further damage the already sensitive communal situation in the state. The need today is for steps aimed at assuaging the feelings of all communities and strengthening the forces of tolerance, brotherhood and amity,” Mrs. Gandhi wrote.

The Communist Party of India (CPI) has also demanded a ban on the BJP’s proposed yatras. CPI general secretary AB Bardhan said that the yatra was against the national ethos and Indian tradition of compassion and brotherhood. He alleged that the BJP sought to glorify what was a national shame and draw political mileage by exploiting religious frenzy in anticipation of elections.

Former Union Minister and Lok Janshakti chief, Ram Vilas Paswan, demanded that the Prime Minister exercise his authority in stopping the yatra. He also reiterated that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) must be banned.

VHP, a Hindu organization, has been accused of participating in anti-Muslim pogrom in the state.

“What is this Gujarat Gaurav Yatra about? What is the achievement of the Gujarat government, except bringing shame due to recent riots?” Mr Paswan asked.

Riots broke out all over Gujarat in 1990 during Lal Krishna Advani’s rath yatra, which began from Somnath for the temple town of Ayodhya, where lies a makeshift temple dedicated to Hindu god-king Ram on the ruins of the demolished Babri Masjid. Thousands of Muslims were killed all over the country following the bloody trail of Advani’s yatra. Incidentally, the man who is all set to embark on Gujarat Gaurav Yatras, is none else than Narendra Modi himself, who spearheaded Advani’s rath yatra campaign in Gujarat. Chief Minister Modi was then the general secretary of the State BJP.