Film producer Ekta Kapoor’s outrageous statement : Calls the Godhra Hindu massacre an ‘accident’

• A film titled ‘The Sabarmati Report’ based on the Godhra Hindu massacre will be released soon
• Ekta Kapoor is being heavily criticised on social media

Mumbai – In 2002, 59 Karsevaks aboard the ‘Sabarmati Express’ were burnt alive by Muslim religious fanatics in Godhra, Gujarat. Now a film is being produced on this incident titled ‘The Sabarmati Report’ by filmmaker Ekta Kapoor. Ekta Kapoor has released the teaser of this film and she is being heavily criticised on social media for calling the incident an ‘accident’ in her social media post about the film. The film is slated to release on 3rd May 2024.

“Paying homage to the 59 innocent people who lost their lives in the Godhra train burning incident 22 years ago, today. Presenting ‘The Sabarmati Report’, in cinemas on 3rd May 2024.”, posted Ekta Kapoor.

The film itself depicts that it was not an accident

In the teaser, a news channel reporter is depicted narrating the events surrounding the tragedy. During his delivery, he utters the phrase, “Sabarmati Express caught fire in an accident…” However, midway through, he pauses and addresses the editors, correcting himself, “Sabarmati Express fire was not an accident, but…” This scene makes it clear that within the film itself, the incident is not labelled as an accident. Consequently, Ekta Kapoor has faced criticism on social media, with people questioning her apparent contradiction in speaking against her film.

Some reactions expressed on social media

1. Reacting to her post, an X handle asked, “What do you mean by ‘the train burning incident’ ? Oh, you mean the train self-combusted ? Say it like it is if you have the guts.”

2. It was a targeted attack on Hindus.

3. It was not a ‘train burning incident’. It was set on fire by a rioting Muslim mob to specifically kill Karsevaks returning from Ayodhya. Have that much honesty.

4. So your movie is coming out hope you portray the truth and nothing but the truth and not whitewash the Islamist mob that set the train on fire and locked the doors so no one would escape.

What transpired in Sabarmati Express ?

On the morning of 27th February 2002, the S6 coach of the Sabarmati Express was set ablaze at Godhra. Fifty-nine Karsevaks who were aboard the coach tragically lost their lives in this horrific incident. These Karsevaks were returning after participating in the Poornahuti Mahayagya organised by the Vishva Hindu Parishad in Ayodhya. The train arrived at Godhra Railway Station at 7:43 a.m. on 27th February. Just as the train was preparing to depart from Godhra Station, its emergency chain was pulled. A mob of approximately 2,000 Muslims then attacked the train. Initially, the mob hurled stones at the train, and subsequently, they poured petrol onto the S6 coach, setting it ablaze. As a result of this heinous act, 27 women, 22 men, and 10 children lost their lives due to burns.

Editorial Perspective

Can we even call such people Hindus ?