Bengaluru: After 18 years of the ghastly Godhra riots of 2002, the Nanavati Commission, which was set up by the then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi himself, has given him a clean chit in the massacre. 

 

Incidentally, the report was submitted in the year 2014 to the then Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel but was tabled today (December 11). 

Another report was also filed on the same in the year 2008. The report on that issue concluded that there was a conspiracy in the ‘train-burning’ incident and there was no role played whatsoever by the Narendra Modi government. 

The Godhra riots began with the burning of a train that was carrying Karsevaks from Ayodhya. In this macabre incident, as many as 58 men lost their lives. This acted as a triggering point, leading to a three-day riot across Gujarat, eventually killing 1044 people, 223 missing and 2500 injured. 

The Congress, which was waiting to harp onto such issues, left no stone unturned to demonise Modi. The issue gained such massive proportions that the Supreme Court of India set up a Special Investigating Team (SIT) to conduct a probe. 

Much to the chagrin of the Congress, the SIT gave a clean chit to Narendra Modi and dismissed allegations that the Modi government had not done enough to limit the riots. 

Strangely, there were accusations that the SIT had suppressed facts. However, the court did not buy this theory and rejected demands seeking Modi’s prosecution. Incidentally, the Supreme Court too honoured the SIT report and expressed its satisfaction. 

Ever since the Godhra riots, Narendra Modi has always been vilified. He was even banned from entering the US on the same grounds. 

On his part, Modi had said, “I am convinced that if there is even a grain of truth in the allegations, I feel for India's bright future and traditions, Modi should be hanged in the street square. There should be such exemplary punishment that no one dares to commit such a crime for 100 years.”