The 2002 Gujarat violence was a series of incidents starting with the Godhra train burning and the subsequent communal violence between Hindus and Muslims in the Indian state of Gujarat . On 27 February 2002 , an allegedly Muslim mob burnt the Sabarmati Express train and 58 Hindus including 25 women and 15 children were burnt to death . Frontline claimed that the blame of train burning was put on Muslims , while larger sections of media reported that it was Muslim mob which burnt the train . Attacks against Muslims and general communal riots arose on a large scale across the state , in which 79 Muslims and 254 Hindus were ultimately killed ; 223 more people were reported missing . 536 places of worship were damaged : 273 dargahs , 241 mosques and 19 temples . Muslim-owned businesses suffered the bulk of the damage . 6,000 Muslims and 10,000 Hindus fled their homes . Preventive arrests of 17,947 Hindus and 3,616 Muslims were made . In total , 27,901 Hindus and 7,651 Muslims were arrested
Godhra train burning
Godhra train burning
Persecution of Muslims