Gujarat’s IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt was arrested for his statement against Narendra Modi in context to 2002 riots. Many raised their hands across the country in his support. Eminent film maker Mahesh Bhatt also opposed the arrest of Sanjeev Bhatt. Regarding this Wasim Rashid Editor Chauthi Duniya Urdu had a detailed chat with him. Here are some excerpts from the interview…
Q.1- On what basis you are favoring Sanjeev Bhatt?
=> It’s very tough to answer that why the heart trust someone. I believe on what Sanjeev said is because what is happening with him in Gujarat is not the first time and neither will be the last. After 2002 we have seen the elimination policy of BJP by which every individual is targeted who dares to speak against Narendra Modi. The person is threatened and warned and still if he refuses to do so then this type of action is taken. Haren Pandya was killed and then the same happened to those who used to kill him.
Q.2- Why is it so that an IPS Officer fights for the victims and the people instead of supporting him keep mum?
=> The ground truth is that the IPS Officer is scared. Kiran Bedi herself in a TV show mentioned that when she came to know that an IPS officer was sent to jail on the statement of a constable then she called her fellow in Gujarat and asked her the situation and reason why Sanjeev was arrested and truth behind.Then her friend said that he can’t say anything on this issue over the phone. In this scary situation which officer or person will have the guts to standalone with Sanjeev?
Q.3- You mean to say that Gujarat has become a fascist state?
=> Ofcourse Fascist state! In 2002 you have seen the fascist sway in this state. Under the guise of development it wants to whitewash many things. Stats are shown; capitalist are highlighted, sometimes Tata and sometimes Ambani. Indubitably, there has been tremendous development it’s also true. But another truth is that what Sanjeev Bhatt is pointing towards, Teesta Sheetalwad had also said, Mallika Sarabhai had also alleged and Shabnam Hashmi was also saying. These people when raise their voice there then public says that they are Anti- Modi. Veritably this is an old game that is still on. If we want to know the truth then we have to appeal the court. Here the accused is Modi and he is also defending, how is this possible?
Q.4- Don’t you think that in the country it has become a fashion to oppose Modi to be called secular?
=> You tell me that how many are such? On counting they may be 4 or 5. Who has the courage to speak against Modi? People advice not to speak against Modi because if he comes in center governance then it might cost them and therefore it is better to be quite. Speaking against him is like rattling a lion’s cage.
Q.5- Another allegation against him is that he conspired along with the congress leaders.
=> The person who opposes a party is said to be the representative of opposition party. Mocking and alleging are outdated approach. Congress repeatedly said that Anna Hazare belongs to RSS. Time will tell that whether he is or not. I don’t have any specific way to say it confidently that in this fight congress is supporting him or not. Till now no congressmen has said anything for him.
Q.6- How can secrets come out of the E-mail mentioned by the police in the FIR that was lodged?
=> See, this fight can be carried by the one who has nothing to lose and nothing to gain. I find Sanjeev the person who has such background that he needs to hide and neither he has something in his hand that is going to be snatched. This is a fight for justice.
Q.7- The case of Sanjeev Bhatt was going on from a long time. All of sudden what happened that it caught heat?
=> The Government was astonished by the affidavit lodged by Sanjeev Bhatt in the Haren Pandya case. People say that Haren who was the home minister there knew such truth and was trying to expose it to the world. And that’s why he was killed. There was a constable’s case in which Sanjeev had already lodged an appeal asking the Supreme Court to keep him out of the case. But nothing was happening for him. Suddenly an affidavit lodged by him in the Haren Pandya case made them alert and he was arrested.
Q. 8- What is your further strategy?
=> We have written a letter to the home minister appealing him to take quick action. We have asked him for the enquiry to be done out of the state so that Modi can’t affect it anyhow.
Q.9- During this riot took place in Bharatpur and Rudrapur but why you all remained silent?
=> We berated Rajasthan. We asked National Commission of Minority to visit and figure out the truth there and inform the Chief Minister. We where to reach Rudrapur but there curfew was implemented. Despite we are planning some strategy regarding. In such a hard time we all need to raise our voice so as to prevent the country from fascist powers.
