2002 Gujarat riots: Difference between revisions
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''The neutrality of this article is [[Wikipedia:NPOV dispute|disputed]].'' |
''The neutrality of this article is [[Wikipedia:NPOV dispute|disputed]].'' |
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In February and March [[2002]], about 58 passengers were burnt alive in [[Godhra]], [[Gujarat]], when the train they were travelling in was firebombed by Muslim fanatics waging [[jehad]]. The main accused was a member of India's main opposition Congress party. The event sparked off riots in [[Gujarat]] state resulting in the deaths of 800 people, both Hindus and Muslims. |
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In February and March [[2002]], about 58 people (apparently mostly Hindus) died in a train fire in [[Godhra]], [[Gujarat]]. |
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On [[February 27]] [[2002]], the coach of the [[Sabarmati Express]] was set on fire using petrol bombs. Some of those in the coach were Kar sevaks. ''Kar sevaks'' are Hindu temple workers involved in social service. |
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Following this, many people were killed in incidents in the following days and weeks throughout [[Gujarat]]. |
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Failure of the Indian media and the Internet in the flow of accurate information. |
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Points of view differ on how many people were killed following the Godhra incident: |
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*some say about 800 |
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*some say more than 2000 |
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* India's Marxist-oriented English language media was initially diffident about reporting the precise details of the incident. Later there were attempts to rationalise and obfuscate the murders of the 58 passengers suggesting they asked for it. |
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Points of view differ on how these deaths occurred: |
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*some refer to these as riots |
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*some refer to these as a [[pogrom]] |
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* A conspiracy theory which began on the internet stated that Hindus had dragged a girl inside the train sparking off the fury of Muslims who indulged in the spontaneous action of firebombing the train. Like urban legends on the internet, the mail which did the rounds had detailed information about the eye-witness to this incident. |
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Points of view differ on what fraction of the victims were Muslims: |
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*some believe the vast majority of victims were Muslims or perceived as Muslims |
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*some dispute that most victims were Muslims |
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The failure of the Western media was highlighted when they carried this conspiracy theory as a fact without a cursory verification of its authenticity. In spite of the fact that people do not carry petrol bombs to spontaneously use them, major newspapers carried this urban legend. More responsible journalists contacted the alleged eye-witness in question who pointed out that he had reported the very opposite. |
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==The fire of February 27== |
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The consequent killing of at least 800 people, both Hindus and Muslims, was used as an opportunity by Communists who immediately claimed to have conducted an inquiry into the events. One such inquiry was headed by Marxist [[Justice VR Krishna Iyer]]. The 'inquiry' by Communists has been criticised by neutral observers who pointed out that several gruesome events described in the inquiry were entirely fictitious and fabricated. |
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On [[February 27]], [[2003]], the coach of the [[Sabarmati Express]] in which there were many ''kar sevaks'' (religious workers) was set on fire. ''Kar sevaks'' are claimed by some to be an informal police force of the [[Sangh Parivar]], who use violence as a means of solving social conflict, but are claimed by others to be those who indulge in social service by being attached to a Hindu temple. |
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Points of view differ on how the fire happened. |
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* The initial point of view in the media was that a mob of local people (mostly Muslims) lit the fire. |
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* Another point of view, based on interviews with passengers on the train, witnesses to the incident, local police and railway officials suggest that the fire could not have been lit from the ground, and that its cause was an argument provoked by the kar sevaks that became increasingly heated (metaphorically) to the point of becoming heated in a ''literal'' (and lethal) sense. |
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** A common version of this interpretation claims that the Kar sevaks refused to pay for snacks they bought at the train station, that they physically assaulted an old bearded Muslim tea vendor, they abducted his young daughter, they took her in the S-6 coach, locked its doors and closed the windows. |
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** This point of view is criticised as an [[urban legend]] or [[conspiracy theory]] by some. |
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* Another point of view is that a member of the [[Congress (I)]] political party was the main person responsible. |
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Points of view differ on the [[media]]'s role in reporting the fire: |
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*One point of view is that the [[English]] language media in India, which are seen by some as mainly [[communist]], applauded the burning of Hindus by Muslims and stated that the Hindus asked for it. |
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*Another point of view is that the story of kar sevaks assaulting the Muslim tea vendor's daughter and carrying her onto the train was presented by the Western [[media]] as fact despite being merely an [[urban legend]]. |
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*Another point of view is that the [[Gujarati]] language media uncritically quoted the words of [[Chief Minister]] [[Narendra Modi]] which supported revenge by Hindus against Muslims. |
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==The killings which followed== |
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The consequent killing of either 800 or at least 2000 people (depending on point of view), mostly because they were perceived to be Muslims, but also including some Hindus, Christians and non-religious people, was investigated in an inquiry headed by Justice [[V.R. Krishna Iyer]]. The inquiry included gathering and analysis of ''2094 oral and written testimonies, both individual and collective, from victim-survivors and also independent [[human rights]] groups, women's groups, [[NGO]]s and academics''. The findings were published in the report ''[[crime against humanity|Crime Against Humanity]] - An Inquiry into the Carnage in Gujarat'' [http://www.sabrang.com/tribunal/]. |
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According to this report, the [[Sangh Parivar]], in particular the [[BJP]], the [[VHP]] and the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]], encouraged, supported and participated in the pogrom. [http://www.sabrang.com/tribunal/vol2/prepvio.html] |
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However, some observers claim that several events in the report ''[[crime against humanity|Crime Against Humanity]] - An Inquiry into the Carnage in Gujarat'' are fictitious. Moreover, because the opinions of Justice [[V.R. Krishna Iyer]] are [[left-wing]], in particular, he had been a state government minister in what is claimed to be the first freely elected communist government in history, starting in [[1957]] (the government of [[E.M.S. Namboodiripad]]), and because he was a candidate for [[President of India]] in 1987, chosen by the opposition against the ruling [[Congress (I)]] party, some people refer to him as ''a Communist'' and consider the inquiry and report to be highly biased. |
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In subsequent state elections in late [[2002]], the [[BJP]] was re-elected to government in [[Gujarat]] with a landslide victory. |
In subsequent state elections in late [[2002]], the [[BJP]] was re-elected to government in [[Gujarat]] with a landslide victory. |
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==External references== |
==External references== |
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*[http://www.sabrang.com/tribunal/ Crime Against Humanity - An Inquiry into the Carnage in Gujarat] |
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*[http://india.indymedia.org:8081/front.php3?article_id=1173 analysis by Ruhi Khan] |
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*[http://www.sabrang.com/tribunal/vol2/prepvio.html alleged implication of Sangh Parivar] |
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*[http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/may/13rajeev.htm After the carnage: the predatory 'intelligentsia'] |
*[http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/may/13rajeev.htm After the carnage: the predatory 'intelligentsia'] |
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Revision as of 10:56, 26 October 2003
The neutrality of this article is disputed.
In February and March 2002, about 58 passengers were burnt alive in Godhra, Gujarat, when the train they were travelling in was firebombed by Muslim fanatics waging jehad. The main accused was a member of India's main opposition Congress party. The event sparked off riots in Gujarat state resulting in the deaths of 800 people, both Hindus and Muslims.
On February 27 2002, the coach of the Sabarmati Express was set on fire using petrol bombs. Some of those in the coach were Kar sevaks. Kar sevaks are Hindu temple workers involved in social service.
Failure of the Indian media and the Internet in the flow of accurate information.
- India's Marxist-oriented English language media was initially diffident about reporting the precise details of the incident. Later there were attempts to rationalise and obfuscate the murders of the 58 passengers suggesting they asked for it.
- A conspiracy theory which began on the internet stated that Hindus had dragged a girl inside the train sparking off the fury of Muslims who indulged in the spontaneous action of firebombing the train. Like urban legends on the internet, the mail which did the rounds had detailed information about the eye-witness to this incident.
The failure of the Western media was highlighted when they carried this conspiracy theory as a fact without a cursory verification of its authenticity. In spite of the fact that people do not carry petrol bombs to spontaneously use them, major newspapers carried this urban legend. More responsible journalists contacted the alleged eye-witness in question who pointed out that he had reported the very opposite.
The consequent killing of at least 800 people, both Hindus and Muslims, was used as an opportunity by Communists who immediately claimed to have conducted an inquiry into the events. One such inquiry was headed by Marxist Justice VR Krishna Iyer. The 'inquiry' by Communists has been criticised by neutral observers who pointed out that several gruesome events described in the inquiry were entirely fictitious and fabricated.
In subsequent state elections in late 2002, the BJP was re-elected to government in Gujarat with a landslide victory.