Seven deadliest riots that shook India

New Delhi: India is universally known for its diversity of religions & communities. India has been a land of tolerance with communities as diverse as the Parsees, Armenians and Syrian Christians coming to this land to take refuge.But India is also the country that has witnessed communal violence on a large scale during the 66 years of independence.Here's a list of major communal riots that shook India since independence:1969 Gujrat riots: The 1969 Gujrat riots were known to be the most deadly Hindu-Muslim riots till the 1989 Bhagalpur communal riots in Bihar. The violence started on the evening of 18th September 1969, which was the last day of the Urs.A minor incident relating to some cattle damaging the carts of shoppers belonging to a particular community led to large-scale violence, arson and stoning.Around 514 people were killed and 6,123 houses and shops were damaged from 19-24 September, 1969. 1980 Moradabad riots:These are known as one of the bloodiest communal riots ever witnessed in Indian history.It happened on 13th August 1980, when an animal entered a place of worship during prayers. This led to widespread communal violence, stoning, after which police fired indiscriminately into the crowd. Nearly 400 people lost their lives but the unofficial death toll is estimated to be much more than that.1984 Anti-Sikh Riots: The 1984 anti-Sikh riots by lumpen mobs in Delhi, Kanpur and Bokaro after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards was a tragedy that scarred the psyche of the Sikh community forever.Indira Gandhi was assassinated on October 31, 1984, and soon thereafter mobs began on the rampage, stoning and torching houses and gurdwaras belonging to the Sikh community. Army had to be called in and curfew was imposed in Delhi to quell the riots. The riots lasted for 3 days killing around 3,000 Sikhs, which is supposed to be the official number, but the death toll was much higher.Sultanpuri, Mongolpuri, Trilokpuri, and other Trans-Yamuna areas of Delhi were the worst affected. Though the Centre and Delhi government worked for the rehabilitation of riot affected people, but the riot victims are yet to get justice.1989 Bhagalpur Riots: It was during the Ramshila processions which were supposed to proceed to Gaushala area, from where they were supposed to move on to Ayodhya, and during which people started shouting provocative slogans.Though the Disitrict Magistrate requested the community to allow the procession to pass, they refused and suggested to take an alternate route for Gaushala.The communal violence erupted when a series of rumors were spread that around 200 students were killed by a particular community, which was followed by series of other baseless rumors. These rumours acted like fuel to the communal fire. The violent incidents continued for two months which affected Bhagalpur city and 250 villages around it.According to official figures 1,070 people were killed & 524 injured . Most of those affected belonging to a particular community. 1992 Mumbai riots:It was during December 1992, when the news of demolition of Babri Masjid spread, that communal riots occured in Mumbai,People belonging to a particular community came out on the streets in Mumbai and expressed their anger by attacking buses and other public property. Even some places of worship were attacked and partially damaged.Though the police could have handled the situation tactfully, but instead they opened fire indiscriminately and several innocent people were killed. It seemed that the firing was done more with the intention of killing people rather than dispersing the mob.Many shops & houses were looted and set ablaze.The death toll seemed to have crossed 900 out of which maximum number of people died in police firing.2002 Gujarat post-Godhra violence: It was on 27th February, 2002 when a coach of Sabarmati Express caught fire and around 58 kar sevaks of Vishwa Hindu Parishad died. The kar sevaks were returning from Ayodhya. The VHP gave a call for statewide bandh. On February 28, hordes of people began a killing and arson spree targeting the Muslim community. The violence lasted for three days before Army had to be called in. .According to official figures, around 1,000 people were killed in the riots, while 2,500 people were injured and around 220 people went missing, but actual figures does vary at a large scale. Till date, the riot affected people are yet to get justice, and trials are on in courts.2013 Muzaffarnagar Violence:Muzaffarnagar has been witnessing sporadic clashes from 27th August, 2013. Tension escalated after three youths were killed in a wrangle that was caused due to an incident of eve-teasing.Nearly 40 people have lost their lives as of now, whereas 81 people have been injured. People began firing at members of other community, and went on a stabbing spree. Thousands of people left their villages out of fear, but normalcy has gradually returned with the intervention of well-meaning people of both communities.