The Sabarmati Report: True Story Of Hindu Genocide Shown In Vikrant Massey Starrer Will Jolt You

Sabarmati Report: Vikrant Massey, Raashii Khanna and Rodhi Dogra star in upcoming film from director Ranjan Chandel. It is said to be inspired by true events that followed in aftermath of Godhra train burning incident in 2002 in Gujarat . Vikrant will be seen as a vernacular journalist in Sabarmati Report. He dubbed incident as "India's 9/11 which changed our socio-political fabric overnight" while drawing parallels with September 11, 2001 terror attacks in New York and Godhra incident. Here are true events, based on media reports, that have inspired movie.

Sabarmati Report: What happened on fateful morning of February 2002?

On morning of February 27, 2002, a coach of Sabarmati Express — Coach S6 — was set ablaze and 59 passengers travelling in that coach were charred to death. train h arrived at Godhra station, about 125 km from Ahmedab, Gujarat just n. victims included 27 women and 10 children. Injuries were suffered by anor 48 passengers. According to a Commission of Inquiry report, most of 59 people killed were kar sevaks who were returning from Ayodhya in Uttar Presh.

According to eyewitnesses and survivors, stones were pelted on train and kerosene poured on compartments before setting m alight. Only a few trapped in S6 coach managed to crawl out of broken windows. Children, ults and old people were stuck inside, with many pleing for ir lives.

Why were kar sevaks onboard Sabarmati Express?

Kar sevaks are people who volunteer ir services for free to a religious cause. term is derived from Sanskrit words 'kar' (hand) and 'sevak' (servant). Kar sevaks were part of group that demanded Ram temple in Ayodhya for deces and struggled vehemently to achieve it.

Sabarmati Express h begun its journey from Muzaffarpur, Bihar and was on its way to Ahmedab. At least 2,000 kar sevaks and pilgrims, who h gone to attend Purnahuti Maha Yagna at insistence of Vishwa Hindu Parish, h boarded train from Ayodhya. yagna was part of Ram Temple building programme. Unfortunately, some kar sevaks who me it to Godhra in Gujarat were burnt to death.

A pre-planned attack on Hindus?

Nanavati-Mehta Commission, appointed by state government in immediate aftermath of Godhra train burning incident, concluded in 2008 that arson was a "pre-planned act" and a "conspiracy" committed by a thousand-strong Muslim mob.

Riots in Gujarat jolt nation

Godhra train burning incident within hours triggered violent riots across Gujarat. riots continued for 2-3 months across state. riots ended with thousands de and injured and hundreds went missing. Many more were rendered homeless.

Convictions in Godhra train burning incident

In February 2011, 31 people were convicted in Godhra train burning incident. accused were charged with criminal conspiracy and murder in burning of S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express. Out of 31, 11 were sentenced to death and 20 to life imprisonment. In 2017, Gujarat High Court commuted death sentence to life terms and all 31 got life imprisonment.