Gujarat witnessed massive violence in 2002 in certain areas of the state after a train full of karsewaks was set on fire at the Godhra railway station in February of that year.

By Saurabh Vaktania: Rioters in Gujarat were taught such a lesson by the BJP in 2002 that they have not dared to raise their heads till now, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said today as he campaigned for his party in the state, adding that his party brought “permanent peace” to the state.

Gujarat witnessed massive violence in 2002 in certain areas of the state after a train full of karsewaks was set on fire at the Godhra railway station in February of that year.

“Communal riots were rampant in Gujarat when the Congress was in power. Tell me out loud whether it used to happen or not? Once in 2002, Narendra Modi made an effort and taught such a lesson (to the rioters) that no one has dared to raise their heads till now. The rioters went out of Gujarat. BJP has established peace in Gujarat,” Amit Shah said.

“In 2002, the Congress had made it a habit (to incite riots). That’s why the riots happened. The BJP government in Gujarat has established permanent peace in the state by taking strict action against the rioters,” he added.

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra soon took to Twitter to slam the Union minister’s statement. “’They Were Taught Lesson In 2002, Permanent Peace In Gujarat’: Amit Shah. This is the Home Minister of India. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten his not-so-little hand,” she wrote.

The BJP is aggressively campaigning in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state. The party has been in power in the state for nearly two decades now.

Political opponents of the BJP – the AAP and the Congress – are looking to de-seat the saffron party and establish their government in the electorally crucial state ahead of the 2024 general elections.

Source – https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/gujarat-assembly-polls-2022/story/bjp-taught-rioters-lesson-in-2002-brought-permanent-peace-to-gujarat-amit-shah-2301812-2022-11-25?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=recirculation