2002 Gujarat riots

2002 Gujarat riots
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Conflict	2002 Gujarat riots
Date	February 27, 2002 – March 2002
Place	Gujarat, India
Casualties	1,044 dead, 2,500 missing, 150,000 displaced

2002 Gujarat riots. The 2002 Gujarat riots were a period of intercommunal violence in the Indian state of Gujarat, India, involving Hindu and Muslim communities, sparked by the Godhra train burning incident, which occurred on February 27, 2002, near the city of Godhra, killing 59 people, including Hindu pilgrims returning from Ayodhya. The incident was widely condemned by Indian National Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, and Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, such as Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani. The riots resulted in significant damage to property, including the destruction of mosques, temples, and other buildings, and had a profound impact on the lives of people in Gujarat, particularly in cities like Ahmedabad and Vadodara.

Background

The 2002 Gujarat riots occurred in a context of rising Hindu nationalism in India, fueled by the Bharatiya Janata Party and its affiliates, such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Vishva Hindu Parishad. The state of Gujarat had a history of communal violence, including the 1969 Gujarat riots and the 1985 Gujarat riots, which were sparked by tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities. The Ayodhya dispute over the Babri Masjid and the Ram Janmabhoomi had also contributed to the escalation of tensions between the two communities, with leaders like Lal Krishna Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi playing a significant role in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. The National Democratic Alliance government, led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was in power at the Centre, while the Bharatiya Janata Party government, led by Narendra Modi, was in power in Gujarat.

Causes and events

The immediate cause of the 2002 Gujarat riots was the Godhra train burning incident, which occurred on February 27, 2002, near the city of Godhra. The incident was sparked by a dispute between Hindu pilgrims and Muslim vendors at the Godhra railway station, which escalated into violence, resulting in the burning of several coaches of the Sabarmati Express train, killing 59 people. The incident was widely condemned by leaders, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sonia Gandhi, and Narendra Modi. The riots that followed were characterized by widespread violence, including the killing of people, the destruction of property, and the displacement of thousands of people, particularly in cities like Ahmedabad and Vadodara. The Gujarat Police and other law enforcement agencies were criticized for their handling of the situation, with many alleging that they had failed to prevent the violence or had even colluded with the perpetrators, including members of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Aftermath and response

The aftermath of the 2002 Gujarat riots saw a significant response from the Government of India, with the deployment of the Indian Army and other law enforcement agencies to restore order in the state. The National Human Rights Commission of India and other human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, condemned the violence and called for action against the perpetrators. The Supreme Court of India also played a significant role in ensuring that the perpetrators were brought to justice, with judges like Justice V.N. Khare and Justice Arijit Pasayat hearing cases related to the riots. The Gujarat government, led by Narendra Modi, was criticized for its handling of the situation, with many alleging that it had failed to prevent the violence or had even colluded with the perpetrators.

Investigations and trials

The investigations and trials related to the 2002 Gujarat riots were complex and involved multiple agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Gujarat Police. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by R.K. Raghavan, was set up to investigate the riots, and its report was submitted to the Supreme Court of India. The SIT's report implicated several high-ranking officials, including Maya Kodnani and Babu Bajrangi, in the violence. The trials related to the riots were heard by various courts, including the Gujarat High Court and the Supreme Court of India, with judges like Justice D.K. Jain and Justice A.K. Patnaik hearing cases. The Zakia Jafri case, which was filed by the wife of Ehsan Jafri, a Congress leader who was killed during the riots, was a significant case that was heard by the courts.

Impact and legacy

The 2002 Gujarat riots had a profound impact on the lives of people in Gujarat, particularly in cities like Ahmedabad and Vadodara. The riots resulted in significant damage to property, including the destruction of mosques, temples, and other buildings. The riots also had a significant impact on the politics of India, with the Bharatiya Janata Party and its affiliates, such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Vishva Hindu Parishad, facing criticism for their role in the violence. The riots also led to a significant increase in communal polarization in India, with many people, including Hindus and Muslims, becoming increasingly divided along communal lines. The Gujarat riots also had an impact on the foreign policy of India, with countries like the United States and the United Kingdom imposing sanctions on India.

International reaction

The international reaction to the 2002 Gujarat riots was significant, with many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Pakistan, condemning the violence. The United Nations also issued a statement condemning the violence, and the European Union imposed sanctions on India. The United States Department of State issued a report on the riots, which criticized the Gujarat government for its handling of the situation. The British government also issued a statement condemning the violence, and the Pakistan government called for international intervention to stop the violence. The International Commission of Jurists and other human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, also condemned the violence and called for action against the perpetrators. Category: Riots in India