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Modi's removal not the solution: Advani

Intervening in the debate on the censure motion on the Gujarat situation, Advani said it was the responsibility of the Centre to act under Article 355 as demanded by the motion, which has been supported by the government.

Maintaining that removing Chief Minister Narendra Modi was not a solution, he said this kind of a sustained campaign against him was not correct.

The home minister also did not agree with Leader of the Opposition Manmohan Singh's remarks that there was "gross communalisation" of Gujarat police.

"I feel this type of sweeping condemnation of the police is not good. There are some shortcomings and I am aware of them," he said, adding that the police force had saved a large number of Muslims during the riots.

Advani said a commission was probing the violence and hoped it would pay attention to the issue relating to the police force.

"I plead with everyone not to make such sweeping charges against the police force," he said.

He said he had a discussion with Minorities Commission Chairman Justice Mohammed Shamim on Monday and the government was also going into the recommendations of the National Human Right Commission.

"Wherever required strictness will be shown. At the same time, focus will be put on relief and rehabilitation measures" in the state, the home minister said.

He said the government condemned the contents of pamphlets asking people to boycott businesses of Muslims in Gujarat.

When opposition members drew his attention to Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Ashok Singhal's reported statement justifying the recent violence in Gujarat, Advani said, "Whosoever says anything of this kind, the government condemns it and disassociates from it."

Advani also took exception to statements of some Opposition leaders that the Prime Minister should be booked under POTA and wondered whether such statements would bring peace to Gujarat. He said whatever happened in Gujarat during and after Godhra train tragedy was shameful, condemnable and equally reprehensible. The Home Minister said if there had been some revenge action against the perpetrators of Godhra in Godhra then it could be considered a violation of the law. "But what happened in Ahmedabad, Vadodara and elsewhere later is barbaric and against civilisation". Advani said by the violence in Gujarat either by Hindus or Muslims, the country has given a cause for temporary satisfaction to elements in Pakistan to be happy. But, he felt, this could only be temporary and India would ultimately win the war against terrorism. He said the Government was in possession of intercepts after the Godhra incident which showed that elements in Pakistan were directing economic assistance to those indulging in violence in the state. (MORE) PTI SC VSC RK RKC 05061420 D NNNN TION-ADVANI FIVE Referring to the text of the censure motion, Advani said it was not seeking invoking of Article 356 for imposition of President's rule and only asking the Governemnt to intervene effectively under Article 355 to protect the life and property of the people. Pleading that Article 355 does not not straightaway lead to action under Art 356, he said the situation of Article 356 would arise only if the state government refuses to make use of para-military forces or army sent by the Centre to restore peace and order in the state. He said under Art 355 a whole range of actions could be taken by the Centre. "If necessary the Centre could even invoke Art 356 in Gujarat but felt that was not not a solution. Short of imposing Art 356 so many things could be done," the Minister said. He said the Government accepted the motion in letter and spirit and has been implementing various measures in accordance with the spirit behind Article 355. Advani also criticised the press for "selective" reporting and cited his speech in this regard in Port Blair on Saturday. He said in his speech he had referred to the Godhra incident which reminded him of the partition riots as nowhere since independence people in a train compartment were torched to death. But the way a section of the press reported it "is one more incident where selective reporting can result in distortion," he said. "I regard Godhra and incidents in Ahmedabad and elsewhere as equally reprehensible," he said. PTI SC VSC RKC RKC 05061433 D NNNN PTI

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