Soon, a museum in the memory of riot victims in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, Feb.19 : Gujarat's Gulbarg Society, a building located in the heart of Ahmedbad's Meghaninagar area is today infamously known for the brutal atrocities it suffered during the post-Godhra riots about six years ago.

At least 68 residents of Gulbarg Society had lost their lives in the day-long violence.

Perhaps disappointed with the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi's recent win in the State Assembly elections, the survivors of the Gulbarg Society have offered it to be converted into a museum.

The building, at present, stands like the relic of a ghost structure.

Encouraged by the support of Citizens of Justice and Peace, a voluntary forum founded by social activist and lawyer Teesta Setalvad, the survivors have decided to convert the premises of the badly-hit Gulbarg Society into a Museum of Resistance.

All the survivors will be involved in this venture and will observe February 28 every year with prayers and remembrance at this Gulbarg Museum of Resistance.

"It is after six years that a decision has been taken regarding the conversion of this building into a museum to provide resistance to the victims of the riots," said Teesta Setalvad.

"It's a novel idea. The survivors will get strength. They don't want to leave their memories behind. Everyone here has affection for this place. It's an important reminder to the State government who is pretending as if nothing happened like 2002 Godhra riots. The government cannot expect the victims to what happened to their lives in past, and therefore, this memorial of resistance," Setalvad added.

On the initial manning stage, this "Museum of Resistance" will map the varied instances of communal violence and victimization of public over the decades. It will include issues related with Sikh survivors of 1984 riots, victims of Meerut or Bhagalpur violence, besides many others, irrespective of any community.

Films, documents, art and literature on the subject will soon be available on the museum's website.

It will take around one year for the musuem to be built.

"Neither has any case been solved nor any justice done. After six or seven years, a decision has been taken regarding the conversion of the burnt building into a museum," said Yusuf, a survivor resident of Gulbarg Society. By Ami

ANI