The survivor of a 2002 gang rape during communal violence in Gujarat state has said she is "bereft of words" at her attackers' release after serving 14 years in jail. Narendra Modi was the state's governor at the time.
Bilkis Bano was the only survivor of an attack on 17 people, several of them her relatives Image: Manish Swarup/AP/picture alliance
Bilkis Bano, who is now in her 40s, was the only person in a group of 17 Muslims to survive the attacks. Seven of her relatives, including her then 3-year-old daughter, were killed.
She said in the statement that her attackers' release left her "bereft of words. I am still numb."
"How can justice for a woman end like this? I trusted the highest courts in our land," Bano said in a letter published late on Wednesday, adding that authorities had not reached out to her before releasing the men. "Please undo this harm. Give me back my right to live without fear and in peace."
A group of women also protested in New Delhi against the men's release. Maimoon Mollah of the All India Democratic Women's Association told the Associated Press news agency that they were demanding the state roll back its decision.
"Bilkis and other survivors should be allowed to live in peace and dignity," Mollah said.
The 2002 Gujarat attacks have an additional political significance in India, given that current Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the state at the time of the attacks.
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How did authorities in Gujarat explain the release?
Gujarat's state government, run by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), defended the decision to release the men by saying that they had served India's most common life imprisonment term of 14 years, among other factors.
"The remission of the 11 convicts was considered after taking various factors like life imprisonment term in India which is typically of 14 years or more, age, behavior of the person and so on," senior Gujarat official Raj Kumar was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.
According to Kumar, the men were eligible for release on this basis thanks to a 1992 remission policy that was in effect when they were convicted but that became defunct in 2014. Now, rape and murder are among crimes for which remission after 14 years is no longer granted to people serving a life sentence.
In the western state of Gujarat in 2002, the deaths of 59 Hindu pilgrims in a train fire sparked communal violence and riots targeting Muslims.
The train fire was blamed on a Muslim mob, and dozens were later convicted for it, though its cause remains disputed.
This 2002 train fire that killed more than 50 Hindus sparked riots in which about 20 times as many people diedImage: SEBASTIAN D'SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images
According to the official tally, about 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were hacked, beaten, shot or burned to death in the riots that followed.
The riots — some of the worst communal violence in India since its independence — took place while Modi was the state's chief minister. The Hindu nationalist faced allegations of turning a blind eye to the violence, and was even refused a US visa in 2005.
But Modi always argued that he was not complicit and did not turn a blind eye. In 2012, around a year before he was named candidate for national leader, the Indian Supreme Court declared he did not have a case to answer.
Opposition politicians continued to pressure the government over the decision.
The Congress Party's Rahul Gandhi, grandson of former premier Indira Gandhi, asked what message the men's release sent to women in India: "Prime Minister, the whole country is seeing the difference between your words and your deeds," he wrote on Twitter.
75 years of independence: 10 reasons for India
On August 15, 1947, India — which until then had been a British protectorate — became independent. DW Travel marks the 75th anniversary with a tour of the country.
Image: Alex Anton/Zoonar/picture alliance
Magnificent architecture
India's most-famous landmark is a worldwide icon: the Taj Mahal tomb mosque in Agra. But there are many other imposing buildings, such as the Golden Temple of Amritsar (pictured), located in Punjab, which is the most spiritually significant sanctuary of the Sikh religion. A visit in the evening is especially beautiful, when the gilded temple walls are bathed by the gentle light.
With its snowy peaks, the mountain range known as the "roof of the world" is one of the most famous in the world. High mountains stretch over 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles), reach up to 8,000 meters (26,250 feet) high, and connect India with Pakistan, China, Nepal and Bhutan. Three different religious cultures also meet here: Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam.
Image: M. Guyt/blickwinkel/AGAMI/picture alliance
Culinary delights
Indian cuisine is as diverse as the country itself, and forms another good reason to travel to different regions of the country. Curry, as well as dal, a lentil soup, are two of the most common dishes, and are usually served with rice and vegetables. Indian food can get quite spicy, but eating dahi, or curd, can help calm the burning.
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Mind, body and ritual
Numerous yoga centers, or ashrams, can be found throughout India. Whether you are a yoga professional or just looking for relaxation, a visit could be an exhilarating experience. Many religious rituals can also be observed while traveling in India. Arti, the daily prayer ceremony that takes place along the Ganges river near Rishikesh, Haridwar or Varanasi, should be respectfully observed.
As on every trip, it is the people who remain particularly memorable. Indians are especially known for their hospitality. The Indian proverb "atithi devo bhava," meaning "the guest is God," reigns supreme. If you are invited into a home in India, you will likely be served coffee or masala tea.
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Holi Festival
Every March, Hindus celebrate Holi, the festival of colors that bids farewell to winter and heralds the start of spring. People gather at temples and parade through the streets in good spirits, throwing colored powder or water at each other — it's a spectacle for all visitors. The dancing and singing can last for up to 10 days, depending on the region.
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Bollywood
Bollywood movies may seem over-the-top at times. That's because every film is supposed to contain all "rasas," the ingredients of traditional Indian art: Love, comedy, horror, anger, pathos, disgust, wonder, peace and heroism. Every year, the film industry releases more than a thousand films. Globally, "Dangal" has been the most successful so far, grossing about $330 million (€324 million).
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Holy cows
A cow in sacred Hindu texts is considered "aghnya," meaning "one that cannot be killed." In Hinduism, cows are regarded as selfless providers, who ask nothing in return. Many Hindus, therefore, abstain from eating beef and harming cows, another reason why farmers often let their animals loose on the streets. Regardless, India is also one of the world's largest exporters of beef.
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The land of kings
Rajasthan, which translates to "land of kings," is a state in the northwest of India, where Maharajas ruled for years. The region is characterized not only by impressive palaces, temples and fortresses, but also by deserts. Known as the Great Indian Desert, the sandy desert of Thar is considered the most densely populated desert in the world. The vegetarian Bishnoi people live there.
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Mecca for hippies
Not only escapists or old hippies can be found on the beaches of the west coast of India. Goa has developed into a modern state, which despite everything has not lost its spiritual hippie charm. For better or worse, many European influences can be found here. Besides beautiful places like the beach of Betul, the hippie market in Anjuna is also a travel highlight.
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