Growth of Communal Polarization in Gujarat and the Making of a Hindutva Laboratory

Abstract

There has been a widespread feeling of shock and disbelief outside Gujarat that the cruel and barbaric acts of violence that began on the morning of 27 February 2002 at Godhra, and have since engulfed a large part of the state, could have taken place in ‘Gandhi’s Gujarat’. Influential Gujaratis had consistently, over many years, projected a certain positive image of their society to the outside world of a land inhabited by a peaceful, conflict-avoiding and pragmatic people who are vegetarian and teetotallers to the hilt. This image was further reinforced by the fact that the land produced Mahatma Gandhi. Of course, this stereotypical image, like most others, was never an accurate description of the complex reality of Gujarati society—nor was such factual corroboration ever attempted.