Gujarat : The Making Of A Tragedy by Siddharth Varadarajan

“Gujarat: The Making of a Tragedy” is a book written by Siddharth Varadarajan, published in 2002. The book is an account of the communal violence that occurred in Gujarat in 2002, which resulted in the death of over a thousand people, most of whom were Muslims.

The book provides a detailed analysis of the events leading up to the violence, the role of the state government and its officials, and the aftermath of the violence. It argues that the violence was not a spontaneous outburst of Hindu-Muslim animosity but a carefully orchestrated plan by the state government and its leaders.

The book also examines the social and political factors that contributed to the violence, such as the rise of Hindu nationalism and the marginalization of Muslims in the state. It presents a powerful critique of the state’s failure to protect its citizens, particularly its minority population, and its complicity in the violence.

Siddharth Varadarajan is a well-known journalist and political commentator in India. His book provides a powerful indictment of the state government’s role in the Gujarat violence and has been widely read and discussed in India and abroad. It is an important contribution to the understanding of communal violence and the challenges of secularism and democracy in India.