Godhra
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Godhra is a town in Gujarat, India. It is the administrative headquarters of the Panchmahal district. Godhra's twin town Dahod is the birthplace of mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
Few miles from Godhra lie the Pavagadh hills. On the peak of pavagadh hills is famous temple of Goddess Kali. It is one of the oldest place of worship. On the foot hills of pavagadh is ancient fort of Champaner which was the mediveal capital of Gujarat and seat of Chavda Kingdom. In late 15th century, the famous Muslim king of Gujarat, Muhammad Begada captured the fort, demolished the temple and erected a mosque in place of temple. Temple was later rebuilt next to the mosque.
Godhra has about equal number of Hindus and Muslims making it a communally sensitive town. It has witnessed more then two dozen riots in last 75 years.
In 2002, riot broke out after 59 Hindu piligrims including 14 Children died after their coach was firebombed. (Two conflicting government enquires state that the train was firebombed while other states that it was an accident.)
In 1990, riot broke out when four teachers were murdered inside a school.
In 1992, hundreds of families were ruined and houses were set on fire. Curfew remained in force for three months.
In 1980, fierce communal riots continued for about a year. Five persons, including two children were burnt alive. Curfew was in force, continuously for one year which is a record for the whole of Gujarat.
In 1949, a teacher of Iqbal High School in Godhra had set fire to the national flag on 15th August and another teacher, Niranjan Shah had shouted ‘Vande Mataram’ (meaning Respect for Motherland) in the same function for which he was dismissed. This led to communal riots which continued for several months.
Similarly, Godhra was in the lime light during fifties, sixties and seventies also because of minor communal riots.