Between Memory and Forgetting: Massacre and the Modi Years in Gujarat

by Harsh Mander

In Between Memory and Forgetting, Harsh Mander recounts the history of one of the most gruesome communal massacres since India’s independence in Gujarat in 2002. This occurred under the watch of Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who led the state until he went on to be elected as Prime Minister a dozen years later.

Mander tells the story of the years that passed between the carnage and Modi's elevation as Prime Minister, examining difficult questions of whether he carries guilt for the crimes, and whether acknowledgment, remorse, reparation and justice were accomplished in the years which followed.

The book emerges as a powerfully reasoned indictment of Modi’s record in these years, for not just why the survivors of the carnage were denied both reconciliation and justice; but also for the rise of a series of spectacular extra-judicial killings, including of Ishrat Jahan and Sohrabuddin Sheikh.

In the last section, Mander writes stories of courageous resistance to the injustice of these years, by persons within and outside government.

Genres: Nonfiction, India

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Prashant Chaturvedi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's the book is about?

This book is about one of the blots on the history of India as a nation, and of mankind in general, where humans brutally killed humans due to their faith, first in the train compartment in Godhra and then across the state of Gujarat. This book covers the chronology of events, modus operandi of the mob, how a state stood complicit in the mass crimes - rape, murders, arson and pogrom and all in gory details. How, as per various accounts, the police fired on the fleeing victims or were just the onlookers when mob continued arson, rape and murders.
The author published the book in 2018, after so many years of the incident, as almost 60% of the Indians were born after the destruction of Babri Mosque and hence it becomes imperative that they know about creation of a major religious fault line in the history of India. The author also gives an idea of how state can forgive and amend on the wrongdoings of the past and what's the idea of justice.

What's author's credibility on the subject?
Harsh Mander was an IAS in the Indian Govt. and served for over 25+ years before getting disillusioned by the involvement of state in Gujarat Pogrom. He has since started to work as a social activist and reformer. Since he was deeply involved with the relief situation and worked with victims on ground, his take contains an authority on this topic.

What's my review?
This book is certainly not for the faint hearted. You may realize that all the gory murders that you saw on GoT, may pale in comparison with the way the author describes the treatment meted out by the mob - specially the pregnant women, old and even, horribly, the infants. I find it horrifying that many of us have already forgotten what happened in 2002.

The author provides lot of references, which are dark as well. The silver lining in the book is the examples of people who fought bravely for justice despite the slow judicial system of the country. It also highlights the work done by brave and selfless NGOs in providing support to the victims in relief camps, getting their FIRs registered, pursuing justice on their behalf in the courts etc.

If we as a society don't want to have another Godhra and 2002 riots, let's remember the wise words - “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”–George Santayana, The Life of Reason, 1905

[Ubah Khasimuddin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically a rehash of his previous Gujarat books, but more concise and less wordy. I think this would work as a good primer for someone who wants to understand Mander's point of view and his actions after the 2002 Gujarat riots. He breaks down the process of justice in the aftermath of the riots and the different paths the victims took. For me the best parts of this book are the stories he tells of the victims and hero's. I want to learn more about what happened on the ground beyond the headline grabbing stories.
I would recommend to someone who isn't familiar with what happened, or just has a cursory knowledge. Its not an easy read, the crimes are horrific, but I'm thinking of donating this to my library in the USA, because I think more Americans need to know about this and about the ideas of justice and forgiveness that Mander discusses. It could be used in our greater discussion of reckoning with the terrible history of how African-Americans have been treated in America. It brings some poins that I think could help in the healing process.

[Vinay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A grisly tale of horror that doesn't mince words in describing the 2002 gujarat riots and the role of government in the cover-ups and subterfuge to prevent truth from coming out in the years that followed. Not for the faint of heart, and Mander's writing seems biased at times, rife with rage and emotion, but a very important story nonetheless.

[Sree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one book I have been waiting for too long.
Stark and unapologetic about why this book is needed, the author is clear about the importance of writing this book.
Appreciate the research that went into writing bold book as this.
Thank You.

[Virendra Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok