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Senior SP leader Azam Khan said his party would take steps for fighting a legal battle on behalf of the 1987 Hashimpura massacre victims after they were denied justice in the recent verdict pronounced by a Delhi court acquitting all 16 accused.
Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister yesterday said that his party would not simply shed crocodile tears on this travesty of justice to the victims but would take steps for fighting the legal battle.
"Under the circumstances we do not expect any remedial step for justice by them. Hence we have to be prepared to take up the legal battle ourselves," he said.
Khan also said that he would be organising a candle-lit march to Rajghat in New Delhi on May 21 on the eve of 28th anniversary of the massacre.
"All sections of people who believe in justice to any marginalised section of society should join in this endeavour," the Urban Development Minister said.
More than 40 Muslims men were picked up from Hashimpura and killed allegedly by 19 personnel from the Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) after riots occurred in parts of Meerut in 1987.
All the 16 accused had been set free by a Delhi court on March 21 giving them "benefit of doubt for want of evidence especially regarding their identity".
Khan said that it was unfortunate that the much delayed verdict had come at a time when a government was in place at the centre whose commitment to rights of minorities was dubious to say the least.
