Godhra: Difference between revisions

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| subdivision_name1        = Gujarat

| demographics1_info2      = [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Hindi language|Hindi]], [[English language|English]] and [[Urdu language|Urdu]]

'''Godhra''' is a [[municipality]] in [[Panchmahal]] district in [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Gujarat]]. It is the administrative headquarters of the [[Panchmahal]] district. Originally the name came from ''gou'' which means "cow" and ''dhara''- which have two meanings depending on how you pronounce the word: 'dharaa' means a feminine thing or person that "holds" something and it usually means"land", and the other pronunciation is 'dhaaraa' in which means "flow". However, the second pronunciation is not popular nor is usually associated with this word.{{fact|date=October 2021}} Hence, 'Godhra or Godharaa' means the Land of the [[Cow]].  

Godhra is widely known in India and internationally for being the starting point of the [[2002 Gujarat riots]]. Statewide religious riots between [[Hindus]] and [[Muslims]] began after the [[Godhra train burning]] incident near the Godhra railway station on 27 February 2002, where about 59 Hindu train passengers were burnt alive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1513008.ece?homepage=true&sms_ss=email&at_xt=4d732c194ed160ba%2C0|title=It was not a random attack on S-6 but kar sevaks were targeted, says judge |first1=Manas|last1=Dasgupta|date=2011-03-06|access-date=2016-10-27|work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> It was in Godhra that [[Vallabhbhai Patel]] first met [[Mohandas Gandhi|Gandhi]] in 1917 and was subsequently drawn into the Indian freedom struggle.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Gandhi|first1=Rajmohan|title=Patel a Life|date=1 January 2011|publisher=Navjivan trust|isbn=978-8172291389}}</ref>

The word "Godhra" means the land of cows. As per local folklore, cows used to come here from Pavagadh for grazing.{{cn|date=February 2022}}

Five hundred years ago, in the 15th century, the respectable Saint [[Vallabha Acharya|Shrimad Vallabhacharya]] in his morning ritual speech gave the example of his dream city. He explained how the city which was seen in dream by her daughter was handed over by a Muslim resident to a Hindu family.

}}As of 2011 India census, Godhra had a population of 143,644. Males constitute 51.67% of the population and females 48.32%. Godhra has an average [[literacy rate]] of 87.51%, higher than the national average of 74.04%. Male literacy is 92.25%, and female literacy is 82.44%

{{As of|2001}} India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Godhra had a [[population]] of 121,852. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Godhra has an average [[literacy rate]] of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy was 79.5%, and female literacy 64.5%.

 

*Between October 1980 and September 1981, six major communal riots, arson and pillaging took place between the majority Muslim community and Sindhi people in Godhra. Five members of a Sindhi family were burnt alive in the Muslim-dominated area of Signalfalia. As a result of the violence and loss of life, the town was placed under curfew for about 245 days during this period.<ref>{{cite news |title=Communal holocaust simmers dangerously over Godhra town in Gujarat |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19811215-communal-holocaust-simmers-dangerously-over-godhra-town-in-gujarat-773538-2013-10-28 |access-date=27 February 2021 |date=December 15, 1981| work=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Curfew Eased in West India |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/08/03/world/curfew-eased-in-west-india.html |access-date=27 February 2021 |date=August 3, 1981 |work=New York Times}}</ref><ref name="express"/>

 

*In 1990, four Hindu teachers were killed by a Muslim mob in Vorwad area of Godhra.<ref name="express">{{cite news |title=Gujarat election 2012: Deeply divided by religion, Godhra braces for 2nd phase poll - Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/gujarat-election-2012-deeply-divided-by-religion-godhra-braces-for-2nd-phase-poll/1045242/0 |access-date=27 February 2021 |work=Indian Express |date=December 14, 2012}}</ref>

 

*[[Godhra train burning]] – In 2002, a Muslim mob set fire to the [[Sabarmati Express]] near Godhra railway station; 59 Hindu pilgrims who were returning from Ayodhya were killed in the fire. This incident is perceived as the trigger for the [[2002 Gujarat riots]].<ref>{{cite news |title=What is the 2002 Godhra train burning case? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/what-is/what-is-godhra-case-gujarat-riots-sabarmati-express-narendra-modi-4881537/ |access-date=27 February 2021 |work=Indian Express |date=9 October 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

Godhra is connected to all major towns of Gujarat by public transport service operated by [[GSRTC]]. And Godhra is Railway Junction that connects Godhra with different parts of state and nation

Godhra has an average literacy rate of 87.51%, higher than the national average of 59.5%

* Godhra is one of the religious places in the India which has four [[bethak]]s ([[temple]]s) for [[Vaishnav]] [[Sampraday]]. There are two main seats of Lord [[Krishna|Gokulnathji]] and one each for Lord [[Gusainji|Gusaiji]] and Lord [[Hith Harivansh Mahaprabhu|Mahaprabhuji]]. Godhra is the only city in India that has all three seats (or ''bhaitaks'') of the Mahaprabhuji, [[Vitthalanatha|Gusianji]], and Gokulnathji

* Godhra has [[Sheikh Majhawar graveyard]], which is believed to be one of the biggest in Asia.{{fact|date=October 2021}}{{by whom|date=October 2021}}

Geographic and manmade features in the area include the Mesri River, Ramsagar Lake, Voharwad Masjid Tower, Polan Bazar, Methodist Church, Naheru Garden and, in the far east, Kanelav Lake.{{fact|date=October 2021}}