Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Journalists Recall Curfew Night, Roti And Dal In Godhra
A train burned in a city called Godhra, and the city became very tense with a curfew.
Three reporters reached Godhra quickly to see what was happening.
Everything was closed, so there was no food anywhere.
They found a place to stay called the Circuit House after a lot of talking.
Important people, including politicians, were also staying there.
A kind official asked the politicians to get up and let the reporters sit.
The reporters were served roti and dal, a simple meal, and they were very happy.
The reporters slept in a proper room while the politicians slept on the sofas.
Another time, a new photographer told police officers they were going for a snack, which was a funny mistake, so they had to turn around.
Three journalists reached Godhra within hours of the train burning, despite the city being under curfew.
With shops closed and no food available, they secured a room at the Circuit House after considerable persuasion.
On a later curfew visit, a rookie photographer told police they were going for a snack, so the car was turned around.
At the Circuit House, politicians gave up their sofa space after officials welcomed the visiting journalists.
The journalists eventually ate roti and dal while the politicians spent the night sleeping on the sofas.
- Who
- Three journalists (the narrator, Anosh and Thomas), a rookie photographer on a later visit, two members of Parliament and an MLA staying at the Circuit House, and the head of the Police Housing Corporation.
- What
- A personal account of journalists who reached Godhra under curfew after a train burned in Gujarat, secured a room at the Circuit House, and were served roti and dal while MPs and an MLA gave up their sofas.
- When
- Not explicitly stated; on the day the train burned in Godhra and during a later visit later in the riots.
- Where
- Godhra, Gujarat, including the Circuit House.
- Why
- The journalists were reporting on the train burning and the riots it set off, and curfews had shut the city down.
- City
- Godhra, Gujarat
- Event context
- A train burned in Gujarat, setting off riots and a curfew
- Timing
- Journalists reached within hours of the train burning
- Accommodation
- Circuit House
- Meal served
- Roti and dal
- Officials present
- Two members of Parliament and one MLA
- Media outlets
- Reuters, The Week and FSRN
- Key official
- Head of the Police Housing Corporation