Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke on Friday that anti-social elements previously engaged in violence in Gujarat because the Congress supported them, but after the perpetrators were taught a lesson in 2002, they stopped such activities and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) established permanent peace in the state.Video Courtesy: NEWS 18 IndiaFollowing the train burning incident at Godhra railway station in February of that year, parts of Gujarat experienced widespread violence.Mr. Shah claimed while speaking at a rally in Mahudha town, Kheda district, in support of BJP candidates ahead of the Assembly elections next month, During the Congress’s rule in Gujarat (prior to 1995), communal riots were common. Congress used to incite people from different communities and castes to fight each other. Through such riots, Congress increased its vote bank while inflicting harm on a large segment of society. Mr. Shah claimed that riots occurred in Gujarat in 2002 because perpetrators became accustomed to indulging in violence as a result of the Congress’s continued support.Mr. Shah thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for lifting Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, but claimed that the Congress was opposed because of its vote bank.\However, after being taught a lesson in 2002, these elements departed from that path (of violence). From 2002 to 2022, they abstained from violence. The BJP has established permanent peace in Gujarat by taking strict action against those who used to engage in communal violence The Union minister stated.
