GODHRA: Fifteen years after the burning of a train in Godhra sparked off communal riots in Gujarat, Hindu-Muslim polarisation persists as people wait to cast their votes on Thursday. The fact that the economy and development bore the brunt of the riots seems to have been forgotten as people still speak on communal lines.
“I’ve never seen such a mandi (slowdown) in my life. There are no buyers. At this hour, markets used to buzz with customers. Despite the ongoing marriage season, a clear slowdown has gripped Godhra,” said Mahesh Lalchandani, a wholesaler.
He lists demonetisation, GST and the digital push as reasons for the slowdown affecting Godhra’s economy. Rural people are the backbone of the economy. “Dairy firms now give cheques to people in the rural areas for milk sold by them, which delays getting cash in hand, while agrarian distress is stopping people from spending,” added Lalchandani.
Broken roads, overflowing gutters and garbage heaps tell tales of administrative neglect of the area. “There are no doctors in the civil hospital,” said Muhammed Shabbir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not held any election rally here, though he visited nearby Kalol. The BJP chief, Amit Shah, however, has visited the place.
Gujarat polls: People in Godhra want to bury past; talk of jobs, power
2002 post-Godhra riot case: Supreme Court paves way for probe against Teesta Setalvad, others
Appeal against Godhra order in Supreme Court, VHP chief Pravin Togadia tells Gujarat government
Godhra carnage was not an act of terrorism: Gujarat HC judgement