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Civil activists are lobbying with the British government to withdraw a UK VISA for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi who was expected to be in London on a three-day visit at the end of this week. The campaign to revoke his UK VISA follows the American State Department’s decision on 18 March 2005 to ban him from the US because of his alleged role in abetting the 2002 Gujarat riots. New Delhi has described the US decision as “uncalled for” and lacking in courtesy and sensitivity, but Modi’s critics in India and other parts of the world are delighted at the new opportunity that has been provided to hold him accountable for the tragic events of 2002.
In London, Modi is being billed the chief guest at the Gujarat Festival, a musical extravaganza at the British capital’s prestigious Albert Hall, for which 5,500 tickets priced at between £ 5 and £ 50 have been sold out. Some 70 UK and India-based performers, including Harish Bhimani, Sandeep Raval, Trilok Gurtu and Praful Dave, are expected to perform at the festival which has so far cost the organisers from the London-based Asian Music Circuit more than £ 1,20,000. Although Gujarat music and culture is main reason for the sell-out, Modi’s presence is also reason for Gujaratis flocking to the Albert Hall to express their solidarity with their controversial chief minister. Opposition to Modi’s visit is being spearheaded by Suresh Grover of the UK National Civil Rights Movement, who says if the chief minister is allowed into the UK, he will apply for an arrest warrant against him. “I was told he was speaking at the Royal Albert Hall. The issue is that he is very likely to be coming here,” Grover said. “We are going to make representations to the British Parliament not to allow him here. If he is allowed here, we will take court action for a warrant of arrest to be issued against him.” Grover led demonstrations against Modi when he last visited the UK a year ago, but failed to have an arrest warrant issued against him. This time, he says he has sworn statements from claimants who say they were directly affected by the 2002 riots. He said, “At last year’s hearing the judge said it may be possible to issue a warrant of arrest for him if we can show the command structure which links some of the killings or murder or torture, specifically torture, to Modi. “In other words, if we were able to get a specific number of individuals who were affected by the Gujarat incidents three years ago,” he said. “We are planning all sorts of actions, including strong representations with other NGOs and also planning action if he is allowed in,” he added.
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