Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised ‘The Sabarmati Report’, a recently released film based on the 2002 Godhra train burning tragedy, describing it as a much-needed revelation of truth. The film starring Vikrant Massey released on November 15.
Directed by Dheeraj Sarna and produced by Shobha Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Motion Pictures, along with Amul V Mohan and Anshul Mohan, ‘The Sabarmati Report’ is based on the real-life events of the burning of the Sabarmati Express in Godhra.
PM Modi shared a tweet and wrote, “Well said. It is good that this truth is coming out, and that too in a way common people can see it. A fake narrative can persist only for a limited period of time. Eventually, the facts will always come out!” His endorsement has drawn significant attention to the film.
Well said. It is good that this truth is coming out, and that too in a way common people can see it.
A fake narrative can persist only for a limited period of time. Eventually, the facts will always come out! https://t.co/8XXo5hQe2y
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 17, 2024
Godhra Train Burning Incident
Hundreds of karsevaks (religious volunteers) were aboard the Sabarmati Express, returning to Gujarat after attending a Purnahuti Yajna in Ayodhya organized by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP). This event was tied to the Ram temple movement, which previously saw the controversial demolition of the Babri Mosque in 1992. On February 25, 2002, around 1,700 passengers, including pilgrims and karsevaks, boarded the train in Ahmedabad. The journey progressed without incident until it reached Godhra station early on February 27.
A coach, S-6, was set on fire, resulting in the deaths of 59 passengers, including women and children. The event sparked widespread communal riots across Gujarat, leading to significant loss of life and property. According to police reports, a mob of approximately 2,000 people attacked the train, hurling stones at the carriages and setting four coaches ablaze.
The fire resulted in the deaths of 59 people, including 27 women and 10 children, while 48 others were injured. 11 individuals were sentenced to death, and 20 were given life imprisonment. However, in October 2023, the Gujarat High Court revised the sentences, commuting the death penalties to life imprisonment while affirming the life sentences for the remaining convicts. The court also upheld the acquittals. Consequently, all 31 convicted individuals in the case are now serving life terms.