Ahmedabad: In 2002, Ashok Bhavanbhai Parmar alias Ashok Mochi who become the face of Gujarat’s anti-Muslim riots is planing to work for Dalit-Muslim unity in future.
Parmar is now a homeless cobbler plans to join the Dalit Aazadi Koon (March for freedom). He is intends to join the Dalit Asmita Yatra from Savarkundla on August 11 and also said to work for Dalit-Muslim unity.
Parmar got notriority during Gujarat riots after his photograph clicked by Sebastian D’souza had splashed across newspapers and magazines across the globe.
In the iconic photograph Parmar with an aggressive expression on his face is wearing a saffron head band and holding an iron rod in his hand.
Booked for rioting and arson in 2005, Parmar was given a clean chit by the session court due to lack of evidence. Ironically Gujarat government appealed against the order in Gujarat High Court where the case is pending.
In 2014, Parmar had publically apologized for the killings of innocent Muslims during 2002 riot in Gujarat in the presence of Qutubuddin Ansari, who had become the face of fear of 2002 Gujarat riots.
Nothing has changed for the poor in Gujarat’ said Parmar to media recently. “My financial condition is so bad I can’t even get married,” he says.
Courtesy: MM