Religious call for end to sectarian violence in India
(Feb. 29, 2012) In India’s capital New Delhi about 300 people from various faiths
met on Monday to pray for peace in the country and to seek justice for victims of
sectarian violence in Gujarat in 2002. “We should all unite to fight communal forces
if we want this nation to develop,” said Archbishop Vincent Concessao of Delhi at
a gathering in front of the mausoleum of Mahatma Gandhi. The prelate added that there
should be an end to all discrimination based on caste or creed, as we all are equal
in front of the law. The event was one of several meetings to mark the 10th anniversary
of communal riots in Gujarat that left hundreds dead. The 2002 Gujarat violence was
a series of incidents including the Godhra train burning and the subsequent communal
riots between Hindus and Muslims in Gujarat State. On 27 February 2002, the Sabarmati
Express train was attacked at Godhra by a large Muslim mob as per a pre-planned conspiracy.
58 Hindu pilgrims, mostly women and children returning from Ayodhya, were killed in
the attack. This in turn prompted retaliatory attacks against Muslims and general
communal riots on a large scale across the state, in which 790 Muslims and 254 Hindus
were ultimately killed and 223 more people were reported missing. Many places of
worship were damaged, among them 298 dargahs, 205 mosques, 17 temples, and 3 churches.