New Delhi: Have some people in the land of Mahatma Gandhi become bankrupt in their ideology, asked the Supreme Court while deciding the Best Bakery case appeals, which touched upon the macabre killing of hundreds of innocents during the Godhra and post-Godhra riots in Gujarat.

"When ghastly killings take place in the land of Mahatma Gandhi, it raises a very pertinent question as to whether some people have become so bankrupt in their ideology that they have deviated from everything which was so dear to him?" asked a Bench comprising Justice Doraiswamy Raju and Justice Arijit Pasayat while quashing the acquittal of all 21 accused in the case.

Justice Pasayat, writing for the Bench, said when a large number of people, including innocent and helpless children and women were killed in a diabolical manner, it brings disgrace to the entire society.

He said, "No religion teaches violence and cruelty-based religion is no religion at all, but a mere cloak to usurp power by fanning ill-feelings and playing on feelings aroused thereby.

"The golden thread passing through every religion is love and compassion. The fanatics who spread violence in the name of religion are worse than terrorists and more dangerous than an alien enemy," he added.