Describe Godhra incident and its effects.
The effects of Godhra incident were as described below :
(i) There was large scale violence against Muslims in many parts of Gujarat because it was suspected that the Muslims were responsible for this incident. The violence continued for about a month. Nearly 1100 persons were killed. The National Human Rights Commission criticised the Gujarat government for not controlling violence and providing relief to the victims.
(ii) As a result of violence in the state, the Election commission postponed the Assembly elections.
(iii) This incident proved that sometimes the government machinery becomes susceptible to sectarian passions.
(iv) Such instances warn us that using religious sentiments for political purposes is dangerous and poses a threat to democratic politics.
