Less than a year after the Jain Commission's first report became a political football, a similar fate threatens the Srikrishna Commission's findings. Justice B.N. Srikrishna's inquiry into the post-Babri Masjid violence in Mumbai - two bouts of religious bloodletting culminating in the bomb blasts of March 1993 - has broadly identified what it considers the culpable factors.It has pointed fingers at, among others, Bal Thackeray and an allegedly prejudiced city police. It is nobody's case that the report must please all people. However, what can be expected is a measured response, especially from the Maharashtra Government. Instead, the Shiv Sena-led regime's reaction has been little short of hysterical- and illogical. It has been most selective in its acceptance of the report. When Srikrishna blames the "effete" Congress government of the day, the Sena gleefully concurs. When Srikrishna trains his guns on Thackeray, he becomes "anti-Maharashtra ... and anti-Hindu".Actually, the fault doesn't lie with the Sena alone. The original sin is the politicisation of all commissions of inquiry. If the Sena is guilty of fanning chauvinism today, the United Front was similarly to blame when it called the Jain report "anti-Tamil". Justice M.C. Jain's passing acquaintance with the English language became the excuse for diverting attention from the substance of his work, fanciful as it may have been. Now the entire charade is set to be repeated with Justice Srikrishna. Rather than discuss the lessons of the crazed winter of 1992-93, the Sena and its rivals are exchanging invectives over one individual. .preferred-source-banner{ margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:10px;}The issue is not Thackeray; the issue is dispensing punishment where it is due and enhancing civic security in India's richest metropolis. The Mumbai riots were not just another law and order problem. They were a national shame. As such, it would be in order for the Union Home Ministry to call for the report and supervise any follow-up action itself.Published By: AtMigration Published On: Aug 17, 1998--- ENDS ---
