November 18, 2024: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday lauded The Sabarmati Report, a film centered on the 2002 Godhra train-burning incident, calling it an "unparalleled" effort in exposing the truth behind the tragic event. Shah's praise followed a similar endorsement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had expressed support for the film just a day earlier.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Shah described the film as a bold and courageous step in shedding light on the truth behind the incident. He wrote, “The Sabarmati Report defies the ecosystem with unparalleled courage and exposes the truth behind the fateful episode to broad daylight. No matter how hard a powerful ecosystem tries, it cannot keep the truth hidden in darkness forever.”

Directed by Dheeraj Sarna, The Sabarmati Report dramatizes the events surrounding the 2002 Godhra train fire, which killed 59 people—many of whom were Hindu pilgrims returning from a religious visit to Ayodhya. The incident was initially blamed on a Muslim mob, but questions regarding its cause and the subsequent violence have long remained a subject of intense debate and controversy.

The film, which stars Vikrant Massey, Raashii Khanna, and Ridhi Dogra, delves into the circumstances of the fire, which led to widespread communal riots across Gujarat. The riots, sparked by the tragedy, ultimately claimed over 1,000 lives, primarily Muslims. At the time of the incident, Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, a role that has since been central to the political discourse surrounding the aftermath of the riots.

Shah’s endorsement follows a similar statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reacted to the film’s rising popularity on social media. Responding to a post on X, Modi said, "It is good that this truth is coming out, and that too in a way common people can see it. A fake narrative can persist only for a limited period of time. Eventually, the facts will always come out!"

The movie has sparked considerable attention and debate, especially after these high-profile endorsements. Since its release, The Sabarmati Report has seen a significant boost in box office collections, further fueling discussions on the 2002 Godhra incident and its enduring political and social impact.

While the film’s portrayal of events remains controversial, both Shah and Modi’s comments highlight a continued political narrative that seeks to frame the events of 2002 in a specific light, despite the enduring complexities and differing perspectives surrounding the tragedy.