Thackeray under scanner in riots case

The Mumbai blasts case has come to an end. But will the man, widely believed to have incited the 1992-93 communal riots be brought to book?

Activists pressing for the implementation of the Srikrishna Commission report say cases against Shiv Sena chief, Bal Thackeray should be reopened.

''Criminals of the blasts and the riots should be measured with the same yardstick. If action is not taken, then the distance between the two communities will only increase,'' said Maulana Azmi, activist.

A legal window opened up last week when the Supreme Court in response to a petition asked the Maharashtra government to file details of cases of communal offences against those involved in the riots.

These also included those against whom cases have been withdrawn.

The Sena chief thus could now be under scanner.

Justice Srikrishna in his report made scathing comments on Thackeray's role in inciting his cadres to attack Muslims.

The report said:

* Sena and Sainiks took lead in attacks on Muslims.
* Sainiks from Shakha Pramukhs to supremo Bal Thackeray involved.
* Thackeray, like a General commanded Sainiks to retaliate against Muslims.

Inflammatory writings

Thackeray himself stayed away from the actual violence and used his writings in Sena mouthpieces Saamna and Navakal to reportedly incite violence.

In fact the only time that he was taken into custody was because of his inflammatory writings. The police picked him up from his residence on July 25, 2000. But the court dismissed the case in 45 minutes saying it was time barred.

So far Thackeray almost had a clean sheet. That is because when they came to power the Sena-BJP alliance had rejected the report.

Of the 24 cases filed against Thackeray, sanction for prosecution was not given for 16. Of the remaining eight, the Sena-BJP government withdrew sanction for six leaving the Sena supremo to fight just two cases.

With pressure building up to implement the report, the Congress-NCP government will be hard pressed to take a stand.

''As soon as we get the judgement from the Supreme Court, we will study and do whatever needs to be done,'' said R R Patil, Home Minister, Maharashtra.

This may well force the government to take a serious re-look at possible action against Bal Thackeray. But given the sensitive balance of power shifts in Maharashtra, this is going to be a tough ask.