NCM award to Catholic priest for 2002 riots campaign

The annual Minorities Rights Award of the National Commission for Minorities was today conferred on Fr. Cedric Prakash, an Ahmedabad-based Catholic priest who has been in the forefront of the campaign against Narendra Modi government after the 2002 Gujarat riots.

At a somber function held here today, Prakash dedicated his award to the “Muslim survivors of Gujarat riots who were hounded out of their houses and are still being harassed.’’ He also mentioned the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, who are faced with displacement from their homes like the Gujaratis.

Talking to The Indian Express, Prakash said “nothing has changed in Gujarat since the riots for minorities and only the perpetrators are using subtle and more sophisticated methods to harass the minorities.’’

He along with journalist and activist Teesta Setalvad had worked for getting justice for the Gujarat riot victims. He runs a Jesuit human rights group at Ahmedabad known as ‘Prashant’.

In its citation, the NCM says Fr Prakash has been chosen for his “work in the field of minorities rights.’’