‘They were taught lesson in 2002,’ Amit Shah brings up Gujarat riots during poll campaign

• ‘During the Congress rule in Gujarat (before 1995), communal riots were rampant’
• ‘Congress used to incite people of different communities and castes to fight against each other’
• ‘BJP has established permanent peace in Gujarat by taking strict action against those who used to indulge in communal violence’

In an impassioned attempt to polarize the assembly elections, country’s Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday brought up 2002 deadly Gujarat riots  during elections campaign, saying that “anti-social elements”, backed by Congress, were ‘taught a lesson’ in 2002. He further claimed that the BJP has established a “permanent peace” in the state.

Shah was addressing a rally in Mahudha town of Kheda district. He said: “During the Congress rule in Gujarat (before 1995), communal riots were rampant. Congress used to incite people of different communities and castes to fight against each other. Through such riots, Congress had strengthened its vote bank and did injustice to a large section of the society.”

In an apparent remark against Muslims, Shah claimed that Gujarat witnessed “riots” in 2002 because perpetrators became habitual of indulging in violence due to the prolonged support they received from the Congress. “But after they were taught a lesson in 2002, these elements left that path (of violence). They refrained from indulging in violence from 2002 till 2022. BJP has established permanent peace in Gujarat by taking strict action against those who used to indulge in communal violence,” the Union minister said.

“During the Congress rule in Gujarat (before 1995), communal riots were rampant. Congress used to incite people of different communities and castes to fight against each other. Through such riots, Congress had strengthened its vote bank and did injustice to a large section of the society.” Shah claimed, reports PTI.

“But after they were taught a lesson in 2002, these elements left that path (of violence). They refrained from indulging in violence from 2002 till 2022.”

The 2002 Gujarat communal riots, country’s worst communal riots in the country, triggered global attention with scores of countries putting a ban on the entry of the then chief minister Narendra Modi. Modi’s alleged role in the massacre were highlighted by several non-governmental agencies and tribunals but the government agencies did not find his complicity in the crime.

Shah also thanked PM Modi for abrogating Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and alleged that the Congress was against it because of its “vote bank”.