Bilkis Bano case: A talking point in Gujarat polls but views divided

The early release of 11 convicts in the 2002 Bilkis Bano gangrape case has become a talking point ahead of elections in Gujarat. But observers are divided on how it will affect the ruling BJP.

The opposition Congress in its poll manifesto has promised to revoke the remission granted by the state government to the 11 convicts who were sentenced to life imprisonment in 2008 by a Mumbai court. The manifesto said it would ensure justice to the survivor in the 2002 case.

Some observers believe this stand will help the opposition party in getting more votes but others remain uncertain.'


On August 15, after the remission, these 11 convicted men in the case walked out of the Godhra sub-jail.

Bilkis Bano belonged to Randhikpur village of tribal-dominated Dahod district. It falls under the Limkheda Assembly seat. It is currently held by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

A prominent election issue?
"Congress' stand on the issue has "consolidated" Muslim votes in its favour and prevented these electors from going towards the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) or the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) led by Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi," Kaleem Siddiqui, a prominent activist who has opposed the relief granted to the convicts, told PTI.

Jignesh Mevani, Gujarat Congress working president, believes that though the party's stand was necessary to assure minorities, it may not fetch votes because the issue was not raised for getting political or electoral mileage.

The impact of the issue will be more visible in Panchmahal and Dahod districts, said Siddiqui. These districts have a considerable number of Muslim voters.

Siddiqui added, "The way Jignesh Mevani had raised this issue, even in the presence of Rahul Gandhi, a sentiment was built among Muslims that someone had at least raised their concern. However, Hindus see this from a communal angle. Had they considered it an issue of violence on women, the Bilkis Bano case and subsequent remission of the convicts would have become a huge issue".

Mevani admitted that common citizens do not get emotionally involved with such issues.

Shailesh Bhabhor, the sitting MLA of Limkheda, also claimed Bilkis Bano is not a poll issue. He asserted even Muslims are in favour of the BJP.

Bhabhor, who has been re-nominated from the seat by the BJP, "This is not at all an issue in this election. People are living peacefully and even Muslims of this area are in support of the BJP and its wrong to predict the Bilkis Bano case will help the Congress through consolidation of Muslim votes".

AIMIM, led by Owaisi, is also not sure if Muslims will vote keeping in mind which party took what stand in the Bilkis Bano case.

Gujarat AIMIM spokesperson Danish Qureshi said,"It was the Congress which has increased the stature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by raising Bilkis Bano and all other post-Godhra riot cases. Instead of making it a political issue, I want to know if Rahul Gandhi would ever raise this issue in Parliament? Can they ensure justice by just taking out yatras?"

He added, "It is a fact that Bilkis Bano did not get justice. And, common Muslims do feel that pain. But, many factors influence voters and it is not clear whether they will vote keeping in mind this issue".

With inputs from PTI