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Amit Shah finally comes to Maya Kodnani’s defence in Naroda Gram riots case

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9 years ago

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Amit Shah court

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Kodnani, already convicted in the Naroda Patiya riots case, had repeatedly sought Shah’s testimony in her defence to prove that she was with him when the riots broke out

Former minister in the Gujarat government and BJP leader Maya Kodnani finally managed to convince BJP national president Amit Shah to testify in her defence in the Naroda Gram riots case before the Ahmedabad sessions court, on Monday. Shah, who Kodnani claimed to be with when riots broke out in Ahmedabad’s Naroda Gram area on February 28, 2002, had so far evaded appearing in the court as a defence witness.

On September 8, the special court of judge PB Desai had given Kodnani time till September 12 to serve summons to the BJP national president to come before it and depose on her behalf. Shah was later granted time till today (September 18) to record his deposition at the Ahmedabad sessions court.

Shah arrived at the court premises around 11 am to record his statement and in what would have come as major relief for Kodnani – who is already convicted of inciting mobs and leading the riots in Naroda Patiya locality during the 2002 post-Godhra pogrom – corroborated her claims.

In his deposition that lasted for about 45 minutes, Shah endorsed Kodnani’s claim that she was with him in the Gujarat assembly when the riots in Naroda Gram broke out and that later the two went to the Sola Civil Hospital (located in Sarkhej assembly constituency which Shah was MLA of in 2002).

Kodnani’s counsel, Amit Patel asked Shah of his whereabouts on February 28, 2002 (the day of the Naroda Gram riots) to which he replied: “I went to the assembly at 8:30 am on that day. The Vidhan Sabha proceedings got over in about half an hour after condolences were given to Godhra victims… After the assembly got over, I received many calls from Sola Civil hospital as it was in my constituency, so I went there (at around 9.30-9.45 am).” Asked if Kodnani was with him at the Gujarat Assembly and then again at the hospital, Shah replied in the affirmative.

Maya Kodnani

Shah recounted the scenes at the Sola hospital, where bodies of ‘karsevaks’ killed in the Sabarmati train burning incident on February 27, 2002 – which is seen as the trigger for the killing of Muslims that took place over the next three days across Gujarat – were brought from Godhra.He said there was a “lot of commotion and confusion (at the hospital). Relatives of those who died were there and the post-mortem was on.”

“I was not allowed entry into the post-mortem room. I met with family members of the Godhra victims whose post mortem and identification was completed. There were several karyakartas with me, people were angry and were raising slogans when I was coming out of the hospital,” Shah recalled. He told the court further that he “tried to pacify the crowd but they surrounded me… police had to take me and Mayaben (Maya Kodnani) away from the spot in one of their jeeps. This was around 11 – 11:15 am.”

The BJP national president told the court: “Maya Kodnani did not go to Naroda Gam between being at the assembly session and Sola hospital” and that when the cases against them for their alleged roles in the riots began the two “did speak about (Shah) appearing as a witness (for Kodnani) in the Naroda Patiya case but the SIT has not bothered to ask me whether I was with her on February 28, 2002, or not.”

Kodnani has already been convicted (in 2012) and sentenced to 28 years in prison for her active role in instigating the Naroda Patiya riots. She was held as the “kingpin” of the riots. Kodnani and 31 other convicts in the Naroda Patiya riots case have challenged the verdict in the Gujarat High Court which concluded its hearing on August 30 and has reserved the verdict.

While Shah’s deposition in Kodnani’s favour shouldn’t surprise anyone (both were BJP legislators during the riots, were later inducted by then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi into his cabinet and were considered very close to Modi then – Shah is still Modi’s closest aide), his acceptance of the court’s summons after having consistently evaded them for years is something that can be seen as politically relevant.

Naroda riots

Gujarat goes for Assembly polls in less than three months from now. With Shah finally choosing to defend Kodnani – the most high-profile BJP leader to have been convicted in a riots-related case – it seems that the BJP has signaled that Hindutva would still be an intrinsic part of its election campaign in the state where the saffron party has been in power for over two decades. The ghost of the post-Godhra riots which claimed as per official records the lives of over 800 Muslims (though activists and NGOs peg the figure to over 2000) has haunted Modi ever since but it has failed to keep his political fortunes from being on a constantly upward swing.

Shah’s defence of Kodnani possibly shows that though the state may want to move beyond the horrific memory of the country’s bloodiest riots in recent decades, the political brass – both Congress and BJP – are willing to keep it alive as a poll plank.

The riots have been a polarising factor in Gujarat politics – through the Congress’ bid to encash on it to unite minority votes against the BJP has failed to earn it any dividends. Now, at a time when the incumbent BJP – without Modi as chief minister – is facing a tough challenge in quelling dissent among the Patidars (due to the Patel agitation), Dalits (due to the Una flogging incident) and traders (unhappy over the GST regime), could the memory of post-Godhra riots once again help the BJP romp to power in the state riding on a fear psychosis among both – the Hindu and the Muslim communities?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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CJP hits back at Kangana Ranaut over Gen Z remarks, says young people have done more for the country

The Cockroach Janta Party has criticised BJP MP Kangana Ranaut over her comments on Gen Z protesters, saying elected representatives should maintain dignity and respect young people’s contribution to the country.

Published

3 hours ago

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July 28, 2026

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The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has strongly criticised BJP MP Kangana Ranaut over her remarks targeting Gen Z protesters, saying the actor-turned-politician’s comments were inappropriate and did not reflect the responsibility expected from an elected representative.

The exchange comes days after Ranaut criticised protesters who participated in demonstrations led by the CJP over the alleged NEET paper leak, describing their language as “crass” and referring to them as “Generation Gutter” in an Instagram post.

CJP dismisses Kangana Ranaut’s criticism

Responding to Ranaut’s remarks on Tuesday, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said the BJP MP was not taken seriously even within her own party and claimed younger generations were unlikely to pay attention to her statements.

Das also referred to Ranaut’s earlier comments about the workload of being a Member of Parliament, arguing that they reflected a lack of seriousness. He accused the MP of criticising young people while exposing what he described as her own casual approach towards public office.

Calls for dignified political discourse

The CJP spokesperson said public representatives should use measured language and uphold the dignity associated with their constitutional positions.

According to Das, Gen Z has made meaningful contributions to the country and has played an important role in strengthening public faith in democratic processes. He argued that such contributions should not be dismissed through sweeping remarks about an entire generation.

Kangana Ranaut’s remarks

In a series of Instagram posts on Monday, Ranaut criticised the conduct of protesters participating in demonstrations at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and elsewhere. She questioned their upbringing, described their language as offensive, and said their online content left her wanting a “digital detox.”

The BJP MP also criticised women participating in the protests, alleging they glorified substance abuse and depended on their parents financially. She referred to them as “Generation Gutter” and made further remarks questioning their abilities and contribution to society.

Her comments drew criticism from several political leaders, with some demanding an apology and questioning whether she fully understood the issues surrounding the NEET controversy that triggered the protests.

Background of the protests

The CJP began its protests at Jantar Mantar on June 20, demanding accountability over the alleged NEET paper leak and calling for the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The agitation intensified with a Parliament March on July 20, during which protesters and police clashed. Authorities said more than 118 police personnel were injured, while protesters alleged the use of lathicharge, tear gas and pellet guns during the confrontation.

Following two rounds of discussions between the Centre and the CJP, Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the post of Education Minister on Saturday. The CJP subsequently ended its protest after stating that it had received assurances that peaceful demonstrators would not face action and that families of students who died by suicide following the NEET paper leak would receive compensation.

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Rahul Gandhi attacks Pralhad Joshi’s appointment as Education Minister over Bilkis Bano remission remarks

Rahul Gandhi criticised the appointment of Pralhad Joshi as Education Minister, alleging the BJP chose a leader who had defended the remission granted to convicts in the Bilkis Bano case. Priyanka Gandhi also questioned the decision in Parliament.

Published

4 hours ago

on

July 28, 2026

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Rahul-Gandhi

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday strongly criticised the appointment of Pralhad Joshi as the Union Education Minister, alleging that the BJP had entrusted the ministry to a leader who had defended the premature release of the convicts in the Bilkis Bano case.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Gandhi expressed surprise over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to hand over the Education Ministry to Joshi after Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down from the post following sustained protests over alleged paper leaks.

Referring to Joshi’s earlier remarks on the remission granted to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case, Gandhi said the BJP had chosen a “defender of rapists” for the Education Ministry. He further alleged that there could not be “a filthier man” than someone who believes rapists deserve protection.

His remarks came while the Lok Sabha was debating a Bill aimed at strengthening action against unfair practices in public examinations.

Rahul Gandhi cites Joshi’s earlier remarks on Bilkis Bano case

Pralhad Joshi had defended the Gujarat government’s decision to grant remission to 11 men convicted of raping Bilkis Bano and murdering members of her family during the 2002 Gujarat riots.

At the time, Joshi had stated that the convicts had spent a considerable period in prison and that their release was carried out under the legal process. He had also referred to their reported good behaviour while serving their sentences as one of the factors behind the decision.

In 2024, however, the Supreme Court cancelled the remission granted to the convicts, observing that the order lacked legal competence.

Priyanka Gandhi also questions the appointment

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed Rahul Gandhi’s criticism during her speech in the Lok Sabha.

She said the appointment of a minister who had previously supported the release of the Bilkis Bano convicts sent an adverse message to women and girls across the country. According to her, the Prime Minister’s decision conveyed a clear message without any ambiguity.

Earlier, while Rahul Gandhi was addressing reporters, Priyanka Gandhi also pointed out that many women had participated in the protests related to the education system.

Education Ministry changed after paper leak protests

Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister on Saturday following weeks of protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over alleged paper leaks. The demonstrations had been underway at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar since June 20.

Pradhan’s resignation was one of the key demands raised by the protesters. The agitation was called off hours after his resignation letter was submitted to the Prime Minister.

Following the resignation, the Centre assigned the additional charge of the Education Ministry to Pralhad Joshi, who continues to hold the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution portfolios.

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Parliament to take up anti-paper leak amendment bill, MSME reforms in Monsoon Session today

Parliament is set for a key legislative day as the Lok Sabha considers amendments to the anti-paper leak law and the Rajya Sabha discusses bills related to national honour and MSME reforms.

Published

14 hours ago

on

July 28, 2026

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Parliament

Parliament is set for an important day of legislative business on Tuesday, with both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha scheduled to take up key bills covering public examinations, national honour and the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector.

The Lok Sabha is expected to consider amendments to the law aimed at preventing unfair practices in public examinations, while the Rajya Sabha will deliberate on legislation related to national honour and reforms in the MSME framework.

Lok Sabha to consider Public Examinations Amendment Bill

Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh is scheduled to move the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha.

The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

The House will begin proceedings with the Question Hour. Later, several Union ministers, including Jitin Prasada, Ram Nath Thakur, Nityanand Rai, SP Singh Baghel, BL Verma, Bandi Sanjay Kumar and Pabitra Margherita, are slated to lay papers on the table.

Rajya Sabha to discuss national honour, MSME bills

In the Rajya Sabha, the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 will come up for further consideration. Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to move the bill for passage after a discussion that followed a motion introduced by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai on Monday.

The Upper House will also witness the introduction of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by Union Minister Jitan Ram Majhi.

According to the proposed legislation, the amendments seek to strengthen the mechanism for addressing delayed payments, facilitate the enforcement of arbitral awards and provide states with greater flexibility in deciding the composition of Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Councils.

NDA leaders attend ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting

Ahead of the day’s parliamentary proceedings, senior NDA leaders, including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Nirmala Sitharaman, arrived for the alliance’s ‘Mangal Milan’ meeting.

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