PM Modi Alleges Lalu Yadav Tried to SaveGodhra Train ArsonAccused

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing an election rally in Darbhanga, north Bihar, on May 4, 2024, accused Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad of attempting to "save" those responsible for the 2002 Godhra train arson. The incident, which occurred during the rule of Sonia Gandhi-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), resulted in the deaths of over 60 kar sevaks.

Why this matters: The accusations against Lalu Prasad and the opposition parties have brought the Godhra train burning incident and the subsequent Gujarat riots back into the political discourse, highlighting the ongoing debate over communalism and secularism in India. This controversy has significant implications for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the country's political landscape.

Modi alleged that Lalu Prasad, who was the Railway Minister at the time, set up an inquiry committee that exonerated the guilty parties. However, the court later rejected the report. "It is because of this appeasement politics that the father of Bihar's 'shehzada' [Tejashwi Yadav] had tried to save those who were responsible for the Godhra train burning incident,"Modi stated, referring to the actions as a result of the "appeasement politics" practiced by opposition parties.

The Prime Minister further accused the opposition parties, particularly the INDIA bloc, of attempting to divert reservations meant for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and tribals to Muslims. He claimed this goes against the views of Babasaheb Ambedkar and Jawaharlal Nehru, who opposed reservations based on religious lines.

Modi also criticized Tejashwi Yadav for bringing up the "Hindu Muslim narrative" at rallies while discussing the Agnipath scheme. "When we talk about the martyrdom of Captain Hameed, do we think of him as a Muslim?" he asked. Without directly naming Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, Modi referred to them as "shehzadas" in Delhi and Patna, respectively, who view the country as their personal fiefdom. He accused them of questioning the surgical strikes and speaking ill of the armed forces.

The Godhra train burning incident took place on February 27, 2002, when the Sabarmati Express train was set on fire, killing 59 Hindu pilgrims and karsevaks returning from Ayodhya. The incident triggered widespread communal riots across the state of Gujarat, leading to the deaths of over 1,000 people, mostly Muslims.

As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approach, Prime Minister Modi's accusations against Lalu Prasad and the opposition parties have brought the Godhra train burning incident and the subsequent Gujarat riots back into the political discourse. "There is a shehzada in Delhi and in Patna, both of whom regard the country as their fiefdom (jaagir),"Modi said, highlighting the opposition's alleged "appeasement politics" and attempts to undermine the armed forces.

Key Takeaways

• PM Modi accuses Lalu Prasad of trying to "save" those responsible for the 2002 Godhra train arson.
• Modi alleges Lalu Prasad's inquiry committee exonerated guilty parties, but the court rejected the report.
• PM Modi accuses opposition parties of "appeasement politics" and attempting to divert SC/ST reservations to Muslims.
• Modi criticizes Tejashwi Yadav for bringing up the "Hindu Muslim narrative" at rallies, questioning the Agnipath scheme.
• The Godhra train burning incident and Gujarat riots are back in the political discourse ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.