Sanjiv Bhatt is an Indian Police Service officer in Gujarat. He is known for his role in filing an affidavit in the Supreme Court of India against the Chief Minister of the Government of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, concerning the latter’s alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots

You must have been apprised about the punishment meted out to your loyal lieutenants Dr. Maya Kodnani and Babu Bajrangi, as well as the misguided foot-soldiers of misconceived Hindutva, who have now been condemned to spend a life in prison. Was it perchance that you smartly distanced yourself from all these unfortunate people at an opportune moment? Have you spared a thought for the innocent family members of the accused who have been sentenced to a lifetime behind bars? It is believed that you were once a married man.

At some point in your life, like all normal humans, you might have been touched by the magic of love, even thought of having children starting a family, perhaps! Have you even once thought about the plight of the wives and children of your onetime adulators who have been condemned for life?

Mr. Modi, have you ever looked at your actual image, stripped of the designer dresses that you are so enamoured with? Have you ever looked at the reflection of the real face behind the mask? Have you ever introspected about your true-self concealed behind the meticulous imagery created by your media managers?

Have you even once thought whether it is really worth it to sustain power, even if it requires sacrificing fellow human beings at the altar of expediency? Have you ever considered, even once, whether it is alright to facilitate or connive in the killing of another human being just because he does not conform to your beliefs? Is it really worthwhile to deceive your own self…. or, is it only a small price to pay for your political ambitions?

You are a woman and a practicing gynaecologist. How could you participate in butchering innocent and helpless women and children? You never felt the pain of the people who were screaming for mercy, who were begging for their lives, who were ripped apart in cold blood, who had images of their dear ones in eyes when they were being slaughtered? Did you ever sleep in peace after that night? Did you celebrate any birthday ceremonies of your own after that?

Could you ever smile after that butchery? Do you still enjoy red colour? Could you look at a meat shop without the religious repugnance, if any? Did you touch a baby with love ever after? Did you look at your own image in your own mind in the early hours of morning without a chill running down your spine?

Dear Maya Kodnani: are you a mother, a sister, a grandmother, perhaps? Are you human? Were you ever human?

Dear Maya Kodnani, have you ever thought whether it is alright to kill another human being just because someone directed you to wreak vengeance on a particular community? Have you ever wondered whether it is acceptable to kill another human just because he or she is not like you? Did it ever occur to you that slaughtering fellow human beings is a gruesome crime, even if it is committed under State patronage? Did it ever occur to you that those who patronised you might one day betray and sacrifice you for political expediency?