Author: PTI
Publication: The Times of India
Date: January 12, 2003
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/articleshow?artid=34197984
Carrying forward his Hindutva poll plank in
neighbouring Maharashtra which goes to assembly poll next year, Gujarat Chief
Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday equated the concept with nationhood and lashed
out at Congress President Sonia Gandhi for her attack on Hindutva forces.
Addressing a rally organised by state BJP
at Shivaji Park in the bastion of its saffron ally Shiv Sena, he said "those
opposing Hindutva are opposing the country's progress".
Modi, architect of BJP's victory in Gujarat
poll, said Hindutva should not be linked with BJP alone. "You can defeat
BJP but you cannot defeat Hindutva."
Describing Hindutva as an "immortal way
of life", he said "Hindutva had survived despite onslaught from
every nook and corner in the world for thousands of years."
"The BJP's landslide victory in Gujarat
could not be termed as Hindutva's victory," he said in his 50-minute
speech interspersed with sharp attacks on Gandhi and his favourite "Miya
Musharraff"-bashing.
Coming down heavily on the Congress President
for her remarks that Hindutva forces would destroy the country, Modi retorted
"hum kya Italy ke beti se hindutva sikhenge?" (should we learn Hindutva
from the daughter of Italy).
Rejecting that Hindutva was against country's
unity, development and women, he said India's problems, including population
explosion and AIDS, began after Indians deviated from the path of Hindutva.
Referring to "Miya Musharraf" in
the same breath, he said "you must understand the semi-terrorism unleashed
in India by him" (the Pakistani President).
"Incidents like the Ghatkopar bomb blast,
fake currency, providing narcotics to Indian youths are different forms of
semi-terrorism," Modi said, adding only a broad concept of Hindutva could
give a befitting reply to these activities.
He said Congress was full of "negativism"
and lacked a democratic set-up.
Flaying Congress for forgetting Sardar Ballabhbhai
Patel, he accused it of humilating the Iron Man of India.
"Patel was given Bharat Ratna nine years
after Rajiv Gandhi and not a single member of Nehru family has visited his
birth place so far," the BJP leader said.
Demanding an explanation from Congress for
insulting Sardar Patel, Modi said "I will ensure that atleast one person
of the Nehru family pays obeisance at Patel's birth place."
He hit out at the Congress for protecting
the Godhra accused. He claimed the party had requested him not to speak on
Godhra. "I wonder what the Congress has to hide," the BJP leader
queried.
Claiming that "Vasudevkutumbhkam"
was way ahead of globalisation, he cited the case of Lord Ganesh as an example
of the first cosmetic surgery and the birth of Karna as genetic engineering.
Referring to campaigning by Congress chief
ministers during the Gujarat election, Modi said he would now visit each and
every Congress-ruled state to enquire about their "well being" as
he presumed that the stunning defeat of Congress in the polls might have affected
their health.
"Aaj me Vilasrao ki tabiyat puchne aaya
hoon" (today I have come to enquire about Vilasrao Deshmukh's health),
he said.
Referring to RJD chief Laloo Prasad Yadav's
threat in the run up to Gujarat election that Modi would be booked under POTA
if he entered Bihar, the Gujarat Chief Minister said it was surprising that
Bihar government was bent on booking him rather than the terrorists under
POTA.
"I am coming to Patna," he added.
