February 27 remains one of the darkest days in India’s history. On this day in 2002, the nation watched in horror as 59 Hindus returning from Ayodhya were burned alive inside the Sabarmati Express near Godhra in Gujarat. The victims, including women and children, had traveled to Ayodhya for karseva in support of the Ram Mandir construction.
The attack, carried out by a violent Muslim mob, triggered widespread communal riots across Gujarat, leaving a lasting scar on the nation’s collective memory. The roots of the violence trace back to the long-standing dispute over the Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya, where a structure known as ‘Babri Masjid’ stood.
Many Hindus believe this was originally the birthplace of Shri Ram and that a temple had been demolished to build the mosque. The Babri Masjid was demolished by karsevaks on December 6, 1992, leading to nationwide communal clashes. In retaliation, Mumbai witnessed a series of bomb blasts on March 12, 1993. The Godhra train burning further deepened the communal divide, leading to unprecedented bloodshed.
The First Attack: Burning of 59 Hindus in Sabarmati Express
At 7:43 AM on February 27, 2002, as the Sabarmati Express reached Godhra, it was stopped by a violent Muslim mob. The mob, armed with petrol and other incendiary materials, targeted coaches S6 and S7, setting them on fire.
Trapped inside, 59 passengers, including women and children, were burned alive. This horrifying attack sent shockwaves across the country, with immediate outrage and demands for justice. In the following years, numerous conspiracy theories emerged attempting to downplay the incident.
Activists, NGOs, and certain political groups tried to portray the attack as an accident or a spontaneous altercation rather than a premeditated assault. However, the findings of the Nanavati-Mehta Commission confirmed that the train burning was an orchestrated attack carried out by a well-organized mob.
The Second Attack on Sabarmati Express: The Untold Story
While the first attack on the train remains widely discussed, a second attack on the Sabarmati Express, occurring just hours later, is rarely spoken about. According to the Nanavati-Mehta Commission report, authorities worked to control the situation and restore law and order after the first attack.
By 11:30 AM, the burnt coaches were separated, and the train was reassembled to ensure the safe departure of the surviving passengers. However, between 12:30 PM and 12:40 PM, just as the train was preparing to leave Godhra, a second attack was launched by a mob of 2,000-2,500 people.
This group, even larger than the first, sought to inflict further damage on the surviving passengers. Despite the attack, the train managed to depart, carrying those who had survived the morning’s horrific carnage.
A Tragedy That Must Not Be Forgotten
The Godhra train burning and the subsequent Gujarat riots remain some of the most painful chapters in India’s modern history. While debates and political narratives continue to shape how these events are remembered, the loss of innocent lives should never be overshadowed. It is crucial to remember these names and events to ensure that such violence is never repeated.
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