Just as anyone who lived in Delhi through the anti-Sikh pogrom of 1984 or the Mumbai riots of 1992 and 1993 knows what happened, that is true of Gujarat 2002 as well. Trying to get to office on February 2002 – a day after the attack on the Sabarmati Express — was a harrowing experience, dodging mobs out on the roads in Ahmedabad, looting and burning. The policemen who I saw that day stood quietly in corners, away from the mayhem. They looked away when they were exhorted to help.

Scarred memories: In February 2002, when Gujarat was burning, policemen stood quietly in corners, away from the mayhem. File pic