The Hindi film ‘Sabarmati Report’, based on the Godhra train burning incident in Gujarat in 2002, has been made tax-free in Rajasthan, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said on Wednesday (November 20). Rajasthan follows three other BJP-ruled states – Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh – in granting tax-free status to Vikrant Massey’s starrer, which released last week.

“Our government has taken a meaningful decision to make the movie ‘Sabarmati Report’ tax-free in Rajasthan,” Sharma shared on X.

“This film realistically portrays that terrible period of history, which some selfish elements tried to distort for the sake of their own interests. The film not only effectively reveals the reality of the system of the period, but also debunks the misleading and false narratives spread during that period,” he added.

Directed by Dheeraj Sarna, the film is inspired by true events and also stars Raashii Khanna and Ridhi Dogra in important roles. It is produced by Balaji Motion Pictures.

On February 27, 2002, a coach of the Sabarmati Express train was set on fire near Godhra station, killing 59 people, mostly kar sevaks, and triggering widespread riots in Gujarat.

While the Gujarat Police blamed a Muslim mob for starting the fire, an inquiry committee constituted by the Railway ministry under the Congress-led UPA government claimed it was an accident. However, the courts confirmed the accusations by convicting some of the defendants against whom the police had filed criminal charges.

Sharma said the “unfortunate and heartbreaking” incident was portrayed with great sensitivity in the film.

“This film should also be watched because only a deep and critical study of the past can help us understand the present and guide the future,” he added.

BJP chief JP Nadda, along with several party leaders including MPs Baijayant Jay Panda, Arun Singh and Anil Baluni, watched the film on Tuesday, which was approved by senior officials of the government, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On Sunday, PM Modi, who was Gujarat CM at the time of the incident, referred to the ‘Sabarmati Report’ and said that a false narrative can continue only for a limited period of time.

Modi made the comment on social media platform