samarkadian
Active member
Its an interesting story from Gujarat 2002.
http://in.news.yahoo.com/two-faces-of-gujarat-riots-meet-113726017.html
KANNUR: Two faces that epitomised the 2002 Gujarat riots, sang hymns of peace and brotherhood as they shared a dais at a function organised by the CPM is Kannur on Monday.
Qutubuddin Ansari, who was famously photographed begging security forces to save him during the riots, shook hands with Ashok Mochi, a Bajrang Dal activist who was photographed during the same riots wielding an iron rod wearing a saffron bandana.
While Ansari's face became the iconic image of those affected by the riots, Mochi's represented the blood-thirsty face of the perpetrators. They exchanged flowers when they met each other 12 years after the tragic incident.
Mochi said that he had abandoned the politics of hatred and revenge.
Calling Ansari his brother, Mochi was quoted by The Times of India saying: "I have abandoned the politics of hatred and revenge once and for all, and my life was changed completely after the 2002 riots."
Calling the riots a blunder, Mochi went on to dismiss Modi's development talks as a myth. Mumbai Mirror quoted him saying: "Where is development in Gujarat? Any talk of development is just a sham. I still live on a footpath in Lal Darwaza. I am still single. I can't afford to get married because of my financial status."
Sharing the dais, both men now in the forties sang 'Hai Preet Jahan Ki Reet Sada' from the movie 'Purab Paschim'.
Accepting a rose from Mochi, Ansari said he felt no hatred towards Mochi as he was only a tool in the hands of political leaders who orchestrated the riots.
The Times of India reported Ansari as saying: “I realized what is love only after leaving Gujarat and today hundreds of people come to meet me but I interact with only those who have humanity.”
“In Gujarat, we can't even think of meeting in public leave alone sharing a room. Here in Kerala, it has become a reality,” he added.
At the function, Ansari’s autobiography 'Njaan Qutubuddin Ansari' was released by CPI(M) district secretary P Jayarajan.
http://in.news.yahoo.com/two-faces-of-gujarat-riots-meet-113726017.html
KANNUR: Two faces that epitomised the 2002 Gujarat riots, sang hymns of peace and brotherhood as they shared a dais at a function organised by the CPM is Kannur on Monday.
Qutubuddin Ansari, who was famously photographed begging security forces to save him during the riots, shook hands with Ashok Mochi, a Bajrang Dal activist who was photographed during the same riots wielding an iron rod wearing a saffron bandana.
While Ansari's face became the iconic image of those affected by the riots, Mochi's represented the blood-thirsty face of the perpetrators. They exchanged flowers when they met each other 12 years after the tragic incident.
Mochi said that he had abandoned the politics of hatred and revenge.
Calling Ansari his brother, Mochi was quoted by The Times of India saying: "I have abandoned the politics of hatred and revenge once and for all, and my life was changed completely after the 2002 riots."
Calling the riots a blunder, Mochi went on to dismiss Modi's development talks as a myth. Mumbai Mirror quoted him saying: "Where is development in Gujarat? Any talk of development is just a sham. I still live on a footpath in Lal Darwaza. I am still single. I can't afford to get married because of my financial status."
Sharing the dais, both men now in the forties sang 'Hai Preet Jahan Ki Reet Sada' from the movie 'Purab Paschim'.
Accepting a rose from Mochi, Ansari said he felt no hatred towards Mochi as he was only a tool in the hands of political leaders who orchestrated the riots.
The Times of India reported Ansari as saying: “I realized what is love only after leaving Gujarat and today hundreds of people come to meet me but I interact with only those who have humanity.”
“In Gujarat, we can't even think of meeting in public leave alone sharing a room. Here in Kerala, it has become a reality,” he added.
At the function, Ansari’s autobiography 'Njaan Qutubuddin Ansari' was released by CPI(M) district secretary P Jayarajan.