Godhra
Security of witnesses of the well -known Godhra case of Gujarat has been removed. The central government has taken this decision after the recommendation of the Ministry of Home Affairs. According to sources, the security of a total of 14 witnesses has been withdrawn, which was earlier provided security by 150 CISF personnel (CISF).
The Ministry of Home Affairs has made the basis of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report for this decision. The SIT submitted its recommendation report on 10 November 2023, suggesting to remove the safety of witnesses. According to the report, this step has been taken keeping in mind the current circumstances.
Among the 14 witnesses who have been protected, Habib Rasool Sayyid, Aminaben Habib Rasool Sayyid, Akilaben Yasinamin, Syed Yusuf Bhai, Abdulbhai Mary Appa, Yakub Bhai, Rajakbhai Akhtar Hussain, Rajakbhai Akhtar Hussain, Najimbhai Sattar Bhai, Najimbhai Sattar Bhai, Mazidbhai Sheikh Yanush Mahdin, Haji Maydin, Faridabanu, Samaduddin Mustafa Ismail, Medinabibi Mustafa and Bhailalbhai Chandubhai Rathwa are included.
What was Godhra scandal
23 years have passed since the Godhra incident in Gujarat. In February 2002, 59 car servants were killed after setting fire to a compartment of Sabarmati Express, which erupted communal riots across the country. Its story is that on the morning of 27 February 2002, coach S-6 of Sabarmati Express was set on fire and 59 passengers traveling in that coach were burnt to death. The train had arrived at Godhra station in Gujarat then. The victims include 27 women and 10 children. The other 48 passengers in the train suffered injuries.
The then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, formed an inquiry commission in the case. The commission consisted of Justice GT Nanavati and Justice KG Shah. The commission said in its report that most of the 59 people killed were car servants who were returning from Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.
Sabarmati Express started its journey from Muzaffarpur and was going to Ahmedabad. On the call of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, at least 2,000 car servants who went to join Purnahuti Mahayagya boarded the train from Ayodhya. This yagna was part of the Ram temple construction program.
Within a few hours of the train burning incident, violent riots erupted across the state. The riots raged on the evening of 2 February and continued for 2-3 months across the state. In 2005, the Center informed the Rajya Sabha that 254 Hindus and 790 Muslims lost their lives in the riots. A total of 223 people were reported missing. Thousands of people also became homeless.
