Editing Atal Bihari Vajpayee (section)

==== 2002 Gujarat violence ====
{{Main|2002 Gujarat riots}}

In February 2002, a train filled with Hindu pilgrims returning to Gujarat from [[Ayodhya]] stopped in the town of [[Godhra]]. A scuffle broke out between Hindu activists and Muslim residents, and the train was set on fire, leading to the deaths of 59 people. The charred bodies of the victims were displayed in public in the city of [[Ahmedabad]], and the [[Vishwa Hindu Parishad]] called for a statewide strike in Gujarat. These decisions stoked anti-Muslim sentiments.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/04/06/world/asia/modi-gujarat-riots-timeline.html |title=Timeline of the Riots in Modi's Gujarat |date=19 August 2015 |work=The New York Times |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726064708/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/04/06/world/asia/modi-gujarat-riots-timeline.html |archive-date=26 July 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Blaming Muslims for the deaths, rampaging Hindu mobs killed thousands of Muslim men and women, destroying Muslim homes and places of worship. The violence raged for more than two months, and more than 1,000 people died.<ref name="NYT_Riots">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/27/world/religious-riots-loom-over-indian-politics.html |title=Religious Riots Loom Over Indian Politics |last=Dugger |first=Celia W. |date=27 July 2002 |work=The New York Times |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812073629/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/27/world/religious-riots-loom-over-indian-politics.html |archive-date=12 August 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Gujarat was being ruled by a BJP government, with [[Narendra Modi]] as the chief minister. The state government was criticised for mishandling the situation.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/2002/04/05/stories/2002040509161100.htm |title=Vajpayee's advice to Modi |last=Dasgupta |first=Manas |date=5 April 2002 |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106133029/http://www.thehindu.com/2002/04/05/stories/2002040509161100.htm |archive-date=6 January 2016 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was accused of doing little to stop the violence, and even being complicit in encouraging it.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/29/world/asia/29india.html |title=Shadows of Violence Cling to Indian Politician |last=Sengupta |first=Somini |date=29 April 2009 |work=The New York Times |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830124248/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/29/world/asia/29india.html |archive-date=30 August 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref name="NYT_Riots" />

Vajpayee reportedly wanted to remove Modi but was eventually prevailed upon by party members to not act against him.<ref name="Caravan_Modi">{{Cite news |url=http://www.caravanmagazine.in/reportage/emperor-uncrowned-narendra-modi-profile |title=1 March 2012 |last=Jose |first=Vinod K |date=1 March 2012 |work=The Caravan |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722135036/http://www.caravanmagazine.in/reportage/emperor-uncrowned-narendra-modi-profile |archive-date=22 July 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/modi-has-to-go-post-2002-gujarat-riots-atal-bihari-vajpayee-wanted-then-cm-to-step-down-3191210.html |title='Modi has to go': Post-2002 Gujarat riots, Atal Bihari Vajpayee wanted then CM to step down |date=7 January 2017 |work=Firstpost |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208022633/http://www.firstpost.com/politics/modi-has-to-go-post-2002-gujarat-riots-atal-bihari-vajpayee-wanted-then-cm-to-step-down-3191210.html |archive-date=8 February 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> He travelled to Gujarat, visiting Godhra, and Ahmedabad, the site of the most violent riots. He announced financial aid for victims and urged an end to the violence.<ref name="NYT_2002">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/05/world/angry-and-ashamed-indian-prime-minister-tours-riot-torn-state.html |title=Angry and Ashamed, Indian Prime Minister Tours Riot-Torn State |last=Bearak |first=Barry |date=5 April 2002 |work=The New York Times |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818085337/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/05/world/angry-and-ashamed-indian-prime-minister-tours-riot-torn-state.html |archive-date=18 August 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> While he condemned the violence,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=8625|title=Vajpayee condemns Godhra carnage, Gujarat communal violence&nbsp;– Express India|agency=Press Trust of India|website=The Indian Express|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914172803/http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=8625|archive-date=14 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> he did not chastise Modi directly in public. When asked as to what his message to the chief minister in the event of the riots would be, Vajpayee responded that Modi must follow ''raj dharma'', Hindi for ethical governance.<ref name="NYT_2002" />

At the meeting of the BJP national executive in Goa in April 2002, Vajpayee's speech generated controversy for its contents which included him saying: "Wherever Muslims live, they don't like to live in co-existence with others."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/who-started-the-fire/215254 |title=Who Started The Fire? |date=20 April 2002 |work=Outlook |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118035839/https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/who-started-the-fire/215254 |archive-date=18 January 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/south/04/18/india.vajpayee/index.html|title=CNN.com&nbsp;– Vajpayee reveals his true colors&nbsp;– April 18, 2002|last=Tully|first=Mark|publisher=CNN|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231003948/http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/south/04/18/india.vajpayee/index.html|archive-date=31 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Prime Minister's Office (India)|Prime Minister's Office]] stated that these remarks had been taken out of context.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/atal-bihari-vajpayee-passes-away-bjp-loses-its-tallest-leader-india-a-statesman-politician/1282121/|title=Atal Bihari Vajpayee passes away: BJP loses its tallest leader, India a statesman&nbsp;politician|date=16 August 2018|work=The Financial Express|access-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816145129/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/atal-bihari-vajpayee-passes-away-bjp-loses-its-tallest-leader-india-a-statesman-politician/1282121/|archive-date=16 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Vajpayee was accused of doing nothing to stop the violence, and later admitted mistakes in handling the events.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/south/04/30/india.censure/index.html|title=CNN.com&nbsp;– Vajpayee admits mistake over Gujarat&nbsp;– April 30, 2002|first=Kasra |last=Naji|publisher=CNN|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102005320/http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/south/04/30/india.censure/index.html|archive-date=2 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[K. R. Narayanan]], then [[president of India]], also blamed Vajpayee's government for failing to quell the violence.{{sfn|Dossani|2008|p=154}} After the BJP's defeat in the 2004 general elections, Vajpayee admitted that not removing Modi had been a mistake.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/2004/06/14/stories/2004061411630100.htm |title=Not removing Modi was a mistake, says Vajpayee |last=Yogendra |first=Kanwar |date=14 June 2004 |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818123316/https://www.thehindu.com/2004/06/14/stories/2004061411630100.htm |archive-date=18 August 2018 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=dead }}</ref>