Human rights activists and organisations promoting peace and communal harmony also lauded the apex court’s verdict.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Opposition leaders, journalists, activists and other eminent citizens have hailed the Supreme Court verdict on Monday sending back the rapists of Bilkis Bano to jail. They also slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and lauded Bilkis Bano for taking on the government for siding with her rapists and murderers of her family members.
The apex court described the release of the convicts as “abuse and usurpation of power” by the Gujarat government and termed the government as “complicit.” It asked the convicts to report to prison authorities within two weeks.
Along with other women activists and leaders, Bano had challenged the decision taken by the BJP government in Gujarat to release 11 convicts in 2022. These eleven were convicted in a case related to the rape and murder of Bano’s family members including her 3-year-old child.
Following the court order, prominent people expressed their happiness and flayed the BJP for taking such decision.
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi slammed the ruling party dubbing the remission as “the murder of justice” and “the patronage of criminals”.
“The tendency to ‘murder justice’ for electoral gains is dangerous for the democratic system. Today the Supreme Court’s decision once again told the country who is the ‘patron of criminals’. Bilkis Bano’s tireless struggle is a symbol of the victory of justice against the arrogant BJP government,” posted Gandhi.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi hailed Bano for fighting the battle with bravery and slammed the BJP for following anti-women policies.
“Ultimately justice has prevailed. The Supreme Court has canceled the release of the accused #BilkisBano who was gang-raped during the Gujarat riots. With this order, the veil over the anti-women policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party has been removed. After this order, public confidence in the justice system will be further strengthened. Congratulations to Bilkis Bano for continuing her fight bravely,” posted Priyanka on X (formerly Twitter).
Senior journalist Sidharth Varadarajan asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to apologise to Bilkis Bano, people of Gujarat and India.
“If @AmitShah & @narendramodi & their juniors have any shame, they should apologise to Bilkis Bano & the people of Gujarat & India for continuing to help rapists and killers even two decades after the violence+coverup which happened on their watch in 2002,” said Varadarajan.
Indian Union Muslim League (IMUL) MP E.T. Mohammed Basheer said that the judgement is a “setback for Sangh Parivar government’s perceived impunity”.
“Supreme Court reverses acquittal of 11 in Bilkis Bano rape case during 2002 Gujarat genocide. A setback for Sangh Parivar government’s perceived impunity. Kudos to sister Balkis Bano for her courageous legal fight!,” posted Basheer.
Prominent columnist and journalist Sagrika Gosh raised several questions about the involvement of the people who took the remission decision.
“Rapists and murderers of Bilkis Bano and her family sent back to jail. How was the remission granted? Which higher up in the system made remission possible? Could not have been done by local officials in Gandhinagar. Will we ever know?,” asked Gosh.
Kavitha Kalvakuntala, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and daughter of former Telangana chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao , also welcomed the judgment saying that justice has prevailed.
“I welcome Hon’ble Supreme Court’s reversal of the acquittal ruling for the convicts of Bilkis Bano. While her pain is unparalleled, this verdict sends a powerful message: the unwavering commitment to women’s integrity. Justice prevails, every such verdict sets a crucial precedent that our Nation stands with women,” posted Kavitha.
Shruti Chaturvedi, a Goa-based entrepreneur, urged people to read about the struggle of Bilkis Bano for justice.
“If you ever struggle finding strength within yourself, read about #BilkisBano. Read what she went through, read how she kept her spine intact and kept fighting for her justice. Today’s decision will make everyone emotional – no matter your political ideology. Dharma won,” she posted.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said “I welcome the Supreme Court decision reversing the release of 11 rapists of #BilkisBano & the murderers of her family. It will remain a bloodstained blot on the Gujarat government that it illegally released these convicts and that a BJP leader justified it on the grounds that they were Brahmins!”
He further said: “This is a victory for justice — but also for the basic human values that traditionally animated our civilisation, but have been increasingly shredded in the majoritarian frenzy that was unleashed in 2014. Those who are struggling to heal India’s soul can breathe a small sigh of relief today”.
Human rights activists and organisations promoting peace and communal harmony also lauded the apex court’s verdict. Groups such as Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, the All India Muslim Majlis Mushawarat, and Prashant, led by Christian human rights activist Fr. Cedric Prakash, expressed support for the court’s judgment.
JIH national secretary Rahmathunnisa criticised the Gujarat government for misinterpreting the law and using it for remission, demanding an explanation from the ruling party.
Fr. Cedric Prakash hailed the decision as a “triumph for truth and justice,” acknowledging Bilkis Bano’s unwavering pursuit of justice.
Former Mushawarat president Navaid Hamid termed the decision a “slap on the face of the Gujarat government” and called for criminal cases against those responsible for the politically motivated release of convicts.
Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani, President of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision as a victory for justice, emphasising the need for impartiality in addressing heinous crimes like rioting.