Ahmedabad:
Almost 10 years after the Godhra train carnage, which set off one of the worst communal riots in the country's history, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is all set to take his
sadbhavna mission to the epicentre of the 2002 Gujarat riots.
Godhra town, which has a sizeable Muslim population, will today host his sadbhavna programme amidst tight security. The BJP is leaving nothing to chance to ensure maximum turnout of Muslims during the fast considering the Chief Minister's desperate attempt at image makeover in line with his national political ambitions.
A
maulvi and
mufti will assist Muslims coming for the event to offer Friday prayers at an enclosure right next to the
sadbhavna venue. Meanwhile, the Congress and some NGOs have also planned parallel events to protest against Mr Modi's fast.
"Friday being an auspicious day, we have made arrangements for Muslims to offer prayers at a special pandal set up right next to the venue," said Ramjani Zuzara, president, Godhra BJP minority cell.
Local BJP leaders expect a crowd of over 50,000, including a big chunk from the town's minority population, to attend the event at the State Reserve Police (SRP) Ground in Godhra, in Panchmahal district.
"A three-tier security system has been put into place to ensure proper screening. CCTVs have also been installed and necessary traffic restrictions imposed," said Sachin Badshah, Superintendent of Police, Godhra.
Former Gujarat chief minister Shankersingh Vaghela will join Congress workers in Godhra to stage a day-long fast to counter Modi's efforts.
"Modi has betrayed the people of the state. His fast is a farce. I would join Panchmahal District Congress workers sitting on a day-long
satkarma fast to protest against corruption and wrongful administration of the Modi government," he said.
In October last year, Mr Modi sat on a day-long fast in Dwarka. To counter Mr Modi's fast, Congress MP from Jamnagar Vikram Madam too held a parallel one-day fast about three kilometres from the venue of Mr Modi's fast along with a couple of local Congress MLAs.
Mr Modi had begun his
sadbhavna mission on September 17 by holding a three-day fast in Ahmedabad after the Supreme Court refused to pass any order against him in Zakia Jaffrey case.
(With PTI inputs)