In each of the last three riots in Gujarat, Shiraz Tirmizi lost a part of his property to elements hostile to him and his community. He has confronted communal hatred and braved its mad fury.

Tirmizi was convinced that the 1985 riots -- which deepened the divide between Hindu and Muslim in the state -- was fuelled by a Gujarati daily, which had tremendous influence on urban minds. As a result, along with a few like-minded people from his community, he started Gujarat Today, now known as the voice of the 'Gujarati Muslim'.

Looking back at the events after the Godhra massacre, the 65-year-old once again feels that much of the havoc in the 2002 riots was caused by biased reportage by another newspaper.

The social worker, businessman and low-profile publisher spoke to Sheela Bhatt. Excerpts:

Why did a carnage like Godhra happen?

The real reasons behind Godhra will come out later. It's a condemnable act. But a similar incident had happened in 1992 at Palej, which lies between Bharuch and Baroda. Shiv Sainiks from Mumbai were going to Ayodhya. When they got down at Palej, they harassed and humiliated hawkers, most of whom were Muslims. They instigated the hawkers. The [hawkers] got into the compartment and beat up the person who was harassing them. He was killed.

It was a criminal act and there was no reaction to it. A proper police case was filed and investigated. A few arrests were made. There was no call for a bandh. Gujarat didn't react.

But in Godhra 58 were killed.

I agree. But now they [the karsevaks] have a network. That's the important point. One can spread the message quickly. The Shiv Sena has such a network in Mumbai. A few years back Salahuddin Owaisi had it [a network] in Hyderabad through which he spread Muslim militancy. Now he has turned it into a political party. Members of such a network are not religious persons. Non-religious youth work for them in return for money. When you pay a person you have to just order them.

Look, all of us expected a reaction to the Godhra incident. But no one expected such wild reactions. This was made possible because of the network. The Bajrang Dal and VHP [Vishwa Hindu Parishad] have spoiled our younger generation. Once the network is established you can do as much damage by overnight planning. The Ayodhya factor added to their fury.

Still this level of violence is difficult to understand.

We the Gujaratis are people with a commercial sense. Our life is centred on money. We are merely interested in making and amassing wealth. We have contracted our religious duties to outsiders. We don't take the trouble to find out our own religious truths. Our own dharma. We just don't take any trouble for our own spiritual quest.

Gujarati society has become dependent on others in religious matters. People who control us, people who teach us religion, are non-Gujaratis. Whether you visit madrassas or temples or the cults, most of the leaders are from UP and Bihar. Our religious teachers are non-Gujaratis who have their own style. We have thus surrendered our own Gujarati identity. We are ignorant about our own true religion and are influenced by people with money power. Money can get things done. The VHP could succeed in Gujarat because they have the combination of money and a network.

Are the riots the result of a Hindu upsurge?

No, no, no. The majority of both communities believe that Godhra was a horrible incident. And what happened after Godhra was an act by a few people. The Hindu wave is propaganda.

As the whole Muslim community was not responsible for Godhra, I would say one can't blame the whole Hindu community for the carnage that followed. My own partner in business is a Hindu and we are still together. I would not say that a majority of Gujaratis are against Muslims and support the killings. There are committed people who are behind these killings. In the name of religion a few backward-class people were given weapons. And this time, the rumours and media coverage of Godhra affected people's psyche deeply.

But a large number of people are supporting the anti-Muslim tirade.

I don't think so, because I know a large number of Gujaratis have the sense to see through events. People know that these riots will re-charge their batteries. The religious card was waning, but now the riots will help. Before Godhra also, all sections of society were talking about such disturbances before elections. Why?

Is there any difference between the 2002 riots and the riots of 1969, 1985 and 1992?

Yes, very much. This time it's well-organised. It's more effective. The UP-Bihar-style ethnic weapons have been used. The pattern of fire and blast is quite advanced. As we know, in widespread riots the front rows are occupied by professional criminals. The people who are in the front are always trained and have a devil's mind. They are trained to create havoc. The heinous crimes took place because of them. This time they had the list in their hands -- shops, factories and restaurants belonging to Chiliya Muslims have been burnt down systematically.

The sensible Gujarati will never do this.

Where will it lead Gujarat?

God has given us the power to forget.

How is the community leadership?

Gujarati Muslims don't have any leaders. Not even a political leadership. They have been supporting secular Hindu leaders since many decades. The Congress never supported the growth of a Muslim leadership.

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