Vadodara: People of areas that have come under the Disturbed Area Act in Godhra burst into celebrations on Wednesday night. In the town that is divided on communal lines, it is expected that the situation would be used for political gains.
The state government's notification has implemented provisions of the act in 10 pockets of the town. This prevents members of one community from selling properties to another without permission from the district collector.
As word spread regarding the notification, crackers were burst in the Makankuva area and sweets were distributed. Leaders from different areas of the town had gathered there for celebrations.
Former VHP activist and now a BJP member Ashit Bhatt, who had been raising the issue since quite some time said that the demand was old and was accepted after many follow ups.
"We are not looking it as a political issue, but as a social one. Many have suffered due to this," said Bhatt.
Congress minority cell functionary Rafiq Tijoriwala said that the issue was being blown out of proportion.
"There have been some incidents of people trying to buy properties in areas dominated by a different community, but it is not a widespread issue. It should not be politicised," he said.
But in a town that has had a history of communal strife coupled with violence and was the 'ground zero' of the 2002 Gujarat riots, it is expected that the issue will be exploited politically. When this was pointed out to Bhatt, he said that it would be wrong to say that the BJP would gain out of it. "Even the Congress can politicise it," he claimed.
The state government's notification has implemented provisions of the act in 10 pockets of the town. This prevents members of one community from selling properties to another without permission from the district collector.
As word spread regarding the notification, crackers were burst in the Makankuva area and sweets were distributed. Leaders from different areas of the town had gathered there for celebrations.
Former VHP activist and now a BJP member Ashit Bhatt, who had been raising the issue since quite some time said that the demand was old and was accepted after many follow ups.
"We are not looking it as a political issue, but as a social one. Many have suffered due to this," said Bhatt.
Congress minority cell functionary Rafiq Tijoriwala said that the issue was being blown out of proportion.
"There have been some incidents of people trying to buy properties in areas dominated by a different community, but it is not a widespread issue. It should not be politicised," he said.
But in a town that has had a history of communal strife coupled with violence and was the 'ground zero' of the 2002 Gujarat riots, it is expected that the issue will be exploited politically. When this was pointed out to Bhatt, he said that it would be wrong to say that the BJP would gain out of it. "Even the Congress can politicise it," he claimed.
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