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Tuesday, Jan 22, 2008
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I stand vindicated: Bilkis Bano

Aarti Dhar

“The judgment does not mean end of hatred. But it does mean that somewhere justice can prevail”

— Photo: R.V. Moorthy

SEEKS PROTECTION: Bilkis Bano at a press conference in New Delhi on Monday.

NEW DELHI: Bilkis Bano, who was gang-raped and was witness to the killing of 14 members of her family during the Gujarat riots in 2002, fears for her life even after 11 of the accused were sentenced to life and one to three years of rigorous imprisonment by a Mumbai court on Monday.

Pointing out that it was the responsibility of the State to ensure her security, Ms Bano said here on Monday that she would appeal against the acquittal of five policemen and two doctors in the case.

“I stand vindicated. This judgment does not mean the end of hatred. But it does mean that somewhere justice can prevail. This judgment is a victory not only for me but for all innocent Muslim who were massacred and the women whose bodies were violated only because, like me, they were Muslims,” she said at a press conference.

She lived in fear for the past six years, shuttling from one place to another with her children to protect them from the “hatred that still exists in the hearts and minds of the people.” She received threats from unknown people, continued to do so even after the court judgment and feared going back to Gujarat.

“I do not want to tell anyone where I was all these years or where I am staying now and under whose protection,” she said in reply to a question.According to Ms. Bano, the conviction was a victory because no one could now deny what happened to women in Gujarat in those “terrible days and nights.”

That sexual violence was used as a weapon against them had been proved. “I pray that the people of Gujarat will some day be able to live without the stigma of that violence and hatred, and will root it out from the State that still remains my home.”

“Officials remain free”

Ms Bano expressed anger that the officials, who emboldened, encouraged and protected the criminals to destroy an entire community, still remained free and unblemished.

“It is the job of the State to protect me and if the Gujarat government has to prove that it did not encourage the riots, it should appeal against the acquittal of its officers and doctors.” However, she pointed out that this was just one among thousands of cases, many of which had not even reached a courtroom.

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