Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday courted controversy by claiming that there could be a 2002 Godhra-like incident just before the 2024 Assembly elections. He further claimed that parties which are part of I.N.D.I.A also share the same apprehension.
The Godhra train burning occurred on the morning of February 27 2002 where 59 Hindu pilgrims and karsevaks returning from Ayodhya were killed in a fire inside the Sabarmati Express near the Godhra railway station in Gujarat.
"There is fear in people's mind. The political party which can do drama of surgical strike to win elections... it can do anything. Former governor Satyapal Malik has alleged that Pulwama did not happen but was staged. The same is said about Godhra. There is apprehension in the minds of the people that in order to win the 2024 elections, they can create a mess," claimed Raut who is known for his controversial statements.
"We fear that at the time of Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya, people will be called from all over the country. Trains would be packed with devotees. In such a situation, stones can be pelted on the train...fireballs can be thrown...riots will be instigated in the whole country," Raut said and added, "It is our job to keep everything in front of the people. If this is not the case, then it is the responsibility of the government to stop this incident which is going to happen. The riots that took place or were incited in Haryana is an example of this."
