Muslims Protest Visit By ‘Hindu Murderer’ To Britain

The demonstrators holding placards from a variety of groups put on a noisy but predominantly peaceful demonstration. Later their noise level escalated when one Muslim demonstrator running towards the venue was dragged away by police.

More than 2,000 Muslims were killed when Hindu mobs went on a spree of raping, burning and murdering in 2002 to avenge the killing of 59 Hindus, when their train was set ablaze in February 2002 (allegedly) by a group of Muslims in the western town of Godhar. The dead included three Britons visiting India on holiday.

Instead of trying to prevent the slaughter, Modi – a member of India’s right-wing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) – instructed his administration to do nothing, the daily said.

The Federation of Student Islamic Society (FOSIS) further criticized Wembley conference centre for hosting Modi’s speech. A spokesman for FOSIS said: "How can a reputable conference venue play host to a man like Modi?"

Burnt Alive

Among the protesters was Bilal Dawood, 34, whose family lost two members in last year’s massacre.

His brother Faeed, 41, and his cousin Shakil, 38, were on holiday in Gujarat when a mob stopped their car and they were set ablaze with petrol.

A 17-year-old cousin of Dawood escaped but has been left severely traumatized by the attack.

"All we want is a proper investigation to get justice for what happened to them," said Dawood, of Batley, West Yorkshire.

Asked if he would like to see Modi arrested in London, Dawood said: "I would like to see the possibility of him being arrested… but what we are after is the specific people who did this. There have been six people arrested but then released and no one has been charged."

Many also criticized the Home Office for granting Modi a visa, but the British government announced on Sunday, August 17, that that there were no appropriate grounds to refuse Modi a visa.

The Home Office said in a statement: "We are aware he’s visiting the UK. He is not visiting at her majesty’s government’s invitation nor does the government plan to have any contact with him when he’s here."

Indeed the absence of any arrests following the 2,000-plus killings is one of the main reasons for the anger of Muslim groups, the Guardian commented.