The community leaders in Polan bazaar, the area from where most accused of Godhra train burning incident hail, said they wanted to send a message to Modi government that Muslims were seeking justice, not just harmony.

"By not attending the function, we have sent a strong message to the state government that there cannot be any sadbhavana without every person of the Muslim community getting justice," said some community members, preferring anonymity.

The local BJP leaders had expected a crowd of over 50,000, including a big chunk from the minority population, to attend the event at the State Reserve Police ground.

Before the fast started, social activist Shabnam Hashmi and five others of NGO Anhad were detained while trying to organise a convention 'In Search of Justice'.