Shadows of 2002 Gujarat Violence Still Linger for Muslim Victims
By  Surabhi Singh

December 21, 2024

Khairunissa, along with her siblings and parents, spent years living in a multi-religious and multicultural apartment in Gujarat state’s Ahmedabad city. When communal tensions and targeted violence against Muslims erupted in the city on February 28, 2002, her family initially felt secure, confident that their neighbours would be able to protect them. But then Khairunissa saw a mob approaching their building. In an instant, their lives and circumstances changed dramatically. More than 22 years later, the lasting impact continues to affect them and hundreds of thousands of Muslims in the state.

Estimates regarding the scale of the violence suggest that 1,000 to 2,000 people lost their lives, with the majority being Muslims, and around 5,000 homes were destroyed. An estimated 250,000 people were displaced from their homes, leading to widespread upheaval and long-term trauma.

The aftermath of the violence has left deep psychological scars on the victims, particularly in the form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety disorders. According to reports from human rights organisations, victims often experience flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety and uncontrollable thoughts about the events. For many, the communal violence shattered their sense of community and identity, leading to feelings of alienation and displacement.