Gandhinagar, November 18 (The Indian Express): Govind Parmar of the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), has written to the Election Commission and the Gujarat Police to stop the circulation of an anti-Muslim video clip saying it can be used to stoke hatred against Muslims and polarize religious communities in the run up to the Gujarat State Assembly elections next month.
“Gujarat ma sanjhe 7 pachhi avu thai shake chhe (This can happen in Gujarat after 7 in the evening),” the video says as it shows a young girl walking down a road, fearful and in a great hurry.
A sound that resembles an Azaan ( a Muslim call to prayer from mosques) plays in the background. The girl’s parents are anxiously waiting for her at home. In the background is an idol of Lord Krishna.
When she reaches home, the girl frantically rings the doorbell. Her mother opens the door and the girl hugs her while her father pats her on the head reassuringly.
The girl’s mother then faces the camera: “Ek minute, kem navai lagi ne ke aa Gujarat ni vaat chhe?” (One minute, why are you surprised to see that this is happening in Gujarat?).”
And then it is the father’s turn: “Bavis varsh pehla pan avu j thatu hatu. Ane avu thai shake chhe. Jo e loko avshe to.” (Twenty two years ago, this used to happen. And it can happen if those people come).
The girl then says, “Pan don’t worry. Koi nai ave. Kemke ahi Modi chhe.” (But don’t worry. Nobody will come. Because Modi is here).
The clip ends with a saffron line in Gujarati: ‘Apno Vote, Apni Suraksha’ (Our Vote, Our Security).
Anonymous
Nobody is owning up the video clip which has been doing the rounds for sometime.
But human rights lawyer, Govind, who has complained to Election Commission and Ahmedabad City Detection of Crime Branch, has asked them to stop circulation of the video and take legal action against the persons shown in the clip and its producers.
“It is clear that the intention of the video is to spread a feeling of fear of Muslims among the majority community members. It has been made to spread hatred towards Muslims, and for polarization of votes which is an offence,” Parmar said.
He told The Indian Express: “I have sent my complaint to the Election Commission and Crime Branch through registered post with acknowledgment due. I have also sent it via email to Election Commission.”
But when his comment was sought, Additional Chief Electoral Officer L P Padaliya said: “(So far) we have not got any complaint in this matter.”
(The featured image at the is a grab from the anti-Muslim video)
