DNA
- Government launches probe into the episode on Gujarat riots
New Delhi, Nov 29: The Centre alleged on Wednesday there was “a deep-rooted conspiracy” behind the Tehelka sting on the 2002 Gujarat riots to flare up communal passions and polarise the electorate in the run-up to the elections in the state.
Information and broadcasting minister PR Dasmunsi told the Rajya Sabha during question hour that a probe had been launched into the “connivance” between certain people in Delhi and Gujarat and the truth would be brought before the House. Dasmunsi said state-run Gujarat Fertilizer was also involved in the episode, but did not give details. Amid protests from CPI(M) and SP members, accusing the Centre of shielding the Gujarat government, the BJP let its opponents sort it out among themselves.
Dasmunsi was replying to a question on banning TV channels from airing the Tehelka expose. Defending the Ahmedabad collector’s action, he said, “After a careful study, I have found that the Ahmedabad collector did the right thing. May be there was an agenda (in telecasting) the expose to create communal disharmony.”
Dasmunsi added that the channel banned by the Ahmedabad collector was told to file a written complaint against the ban, but it has so far not made any complaint.
He said, “We gathered that just on the eve of election notification, something is expected very suddenly… on the eve of election notification, another thing was being planned by some other channel to focus it and twist the mind… the horrifying story of 2002.”
Tehelka's Tarun Tejpal's Exclusive Interview to Daijiworld.com: