This is with reference to the report “Trial court must hear riot charge against Modi: Supreme Court” (Sept.13). Though it is being construed as a breather for the Gujarat Chief Minister, it is something that has brought neither him nor the victims closure. This political purgatory has far-reaching implications both for Mr. Modi and the BJP. While Mr. Modi has tried unceasingly to reinvent himself as being pro-development, one needs to wait and watch. Perhaps, it is advantage Modi but deuce for the BJP.
Meghana A.,Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K.
Although the court did not make any observations on the merits of the case (Gujarat riot charges), the BJP has claimed victory and set in motion manoeuvres that appear to have been driven by an assumption that Mr. Modi will now unveil his prime ministerial aspirations (“If exonerated, Modi likely to shift to national stage,” Sept.13). There could be a churning within the party.
J. Akshay,Secunderabad
One hopes that it will be the foremost duty of the judiciary as a whole to provide a just verdict devoid of malice.
Kumar Varun,New Delhi
There is absolutely no scope in the decision either for excessive rejoicing or for a shocked reaction. But, surprisingly, there is baseless optimism in the BJP camp and needless disappointment in the opposite camp. Both defy logic.
K.D. Viswanaathan,Coimbatore
Considering the political developments, the theme of “Cartoonscape” (Sept. 13) was interesting. One can only think of a quotation by Nigerian poet and novelist Ben Okri: “The magician and the politician have much in common: they both have to draw our attention away from what they are really doing.”
K.M. Abdul Salim,Edavanakad
There is no need for either the BJP or the Congress to interpret the decision as being an endorsement of their respective stands. Considering the slow pace at which the wheels of the legal machinery move in the country, it could well be a decade before the truth behind what happened, post-Godhra, becomes known.
Arun Malankar,Mumbai
If the Congress could redeem the goodwill of the Sikh community after the gruesome 1984 riots, perhaps Mr. Modi can also do the same. What people are looking for are sustained development and growth in a transparent manner.
E. Krishnadas,Palakkad
