India - Gujarat 2002: What happened at Gulberg, 14 years ago (Leena Misra)

The Indian - Express - June 2, 2016

What happened at Gulberg, 14 years ago

All homes in Gulberg Society were set ablaze, and in all 69 persons were killed in this massacre. Witnesses have also testified to the rape of women by the accused.

Written by Leena Misra

The VHP had declared a Gujarat bandh on February 28, 2002 in protest against the killings in Godhra and the situation was tense as mobs rampaged through the streets forcing shops to close down. (Source: Express archives)

A day after the Sabarmati Express train carnage at Godhra on February 27, 2002 which killed 59 persons, mostly kar sevaks returning from Ayodhya, violence broke out across Gujarat. The VHP had declared a Gujarat bandh on February 28, 2002 in protest against the killings in Godhra and the situation was tense as mobs rampaged through the streets forcing shops to close down. The bodies of the Godhra carnage victims had been brought to Ahmedabad. Violence had already broken out across Ahmedabad.

A violent mob, mostly of people living in the neighbourhood, stormed the Gulberg Society in Meghaninagar area. Most of the residents had taken shelter in the two-storeyed home of former Congress MP Ahsan Jafri, in front rows at the entry gate, hoping to be saved.

Jafri tried calming the mob and defend his family and neighbours, only to be killed but his body was untraceable. All the homes were set ablaze, and in all 69 persons were killed in this massacre. Witnesses have also testified to the rape of women by the accused.

The only Parsi family in this Muslim neighbourhood, the Modys had also taken shelter in Jafri’s home. Azar, the 13-year-old son of Rupa and Dara Mody, went missing that day in the mayhem, leaving no trace.

The mob is said to have blown up gas cylinders to breach the boundary walls and forcibly enter the society that day. Only 39 of the bodies were found. There was no trace of Jafri who was said to have been dragged out of his home, killed and burnt.

Seven years later, all those who went missing were declared dead, including Azar.