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Author: Madhu Purnima Kishwar
Publication: Manushi.in
Date:
URL: http://www.manushi.in/articles.php?articleId=1707
Modi's "Action-Reaction" Statement on 2002 Riots and “Rs 50 Crore Girlfriend” Speech
Rajiv Gandhi had justified the 1984 pogrom against the Sikhs in Delhi and other places in north India saying, “When a big tree falls, the earth is bound to shake.” It was the most clear cut example of Congress led killings which resulted in one way killings of Sikhs and brutalization of Sikh women. Not a single Hindu was killed in the 1984 mayhem. Till date not a single Congress leader who was found leading riotous mobs during those murderous days, has been punished. Nor was Rajiv Gandhi or any other Congress leader hounded for allowing the massacre for full 3 days right under their noses. But then Congress does not have to worry about such trivialities since it claims to be “secular”!
Teesta Setalvad’s NGO and others targeting Narendra Modi for his alleged complicity in the post Godhra riots of 2002 have tried attributing a similar statement to Narendra Modi. The Supreme Court appointed SIT examined the charge in –depth. The charge is that when asked about the post Godhra violence, Modi quoted Newton’s third law of motion which states that ‘every action has an equal and opposite reaction’ - “Har kriya ki pratikriya hoti hai” (Quoted in Communalism Combat, pg. 107, “Genocide Gujarat 2002” (Mar-Apr.2002), Ms Setalvad’s case is that this proves Modi justified the anti Muslim violence that followed the burning down of a rail bogie leading to 58 Hindus being charred to death.
However, the Special Investigative Team appointed by the Supreme Court exonerated Modi of this charge on the ground that that the actual statement was- “Kriya pratikriya ki chain chal rahi hai. Hum chhate hain ki na kriya ho aur na pratikriya” (A chain of action–reaction is going on. We want that there should be neither “action” nor “reaction”)
It all started with an incomplete statement telecast on Zee TV based on an interview conducted by Zee correspondent Sudhir Chaudhary. As per the testimony of Sudhir Chaudhary, Zee TV Correspondent to the SIT, he had attended a press conference held by Narendra Modi on 01-03-2002, in the Circuit House at the outskirts of Gandhinagar. He requested Narendra Modi for a short interview after the press conference. The latter agreed and was interviewed for about 10 minutes. (SIT report page no.187)
When Chaudhary questioned the CM about the Chamanpura (Gulberg Society) massacre in which the former Congress MP, Ehsan Jafri was killed along with more than 50 others, the Chief Minister in his replies referred to the reports that Jafri had first fired at the violent mob, which infuriated the crowd further and that the mob thereafter stormed the Housing Society and set it on fire. (SIT report page no.187)
According to Chaudhary, Narendra Modi referred to Jafri’s firing as “action” and the massacre that followed as “reaction”. Modi’s exact quote was: “Kriya pratikriya ki chain chal rahi hai. Hum chahte hain ki na kriya ho aur na pratikriya”. A chain of action – reaction is going on. We want that there should be neither “action” nor “reaction”)
However, in the Zee TV telecast, as well as newspapers that picked up Modi’s statement, the last line saying, “Hum chahte hai ki nakriya ho aur na pratikriya.”(We want that there should neither be “action” nor “reaction”) was deliberately omitted.
Similarly when asked about the wide spread violence in Gujarat post Godhra CM’s reply was: “Godhra main jo parso hua jahan par athavan(58) purush, mahilaon aur bacchon ko zinda jala diya, Is main desh main aur videsh main sadma pahuchna swabhavik tha. Godhra ke is ilake ke logon ki criminal tendencies rahi hai. In logon ne pahele mahila teachers ka khoon kiya. Aur ab yeh jaghanya apraadh kiya hai jiski pratikria ho rahi hai.”(The incident of day before yesterday at Godhra when 58 women, children and men were burnt to death was bound to create deep shock both within and outside the country. People of this particular area of Godhra have had criminal tendencies. These people had earlier murdered some women teachers. And now they have committed this gruesome crime which is producing this reaction. )
During investigations, a requisition was sent to the Zee TV to make available a copy of the CD of the television interview of Narendra Modi conducted by their correspondent Sudhir Chaudhary on 01-03-2002. Despite two reminders and a notice u/s 91 Cr.P.C. sent to them, the CD was not made available to the SIT. (SIT report page 188). But Sudhir Chaudhary told the SIT that the Chief Minister was of the view that he neither wanted action nor reaction.
When Narendra Modi was questioned about the aforesaid interview given to Zee TV on 01-03-2002, SIT records his statements as follows:
a. Those who have read the history of Gujarat would definitely be aware that communal violence in Gujarat has a long history and the State had witnessed serious incidents of such communal violence.
b. As regards the Zee TV interview of 01-03-2002 is concerned, Modi told SIT that he had always appealed only and only for peace. He had issued several appeals to the people to shun violence in straight and simple language. If his words cited in this question are considered in the correct perspective, then it would be evident that there is a very earnest appeal for people refraining from any kind of violence. ( SIT report pages188-189)
c. Regarding the statement made to the media about post Godhra riots by citing Newton’s law that every action has equal and opposite reaction, Narendra Modi said that The Times of India had published a news item on 03-03-2002, purportedly as though he had given an interview to them whereas the truth is that nobody from TOI met him indicating that his so-called justification “Action-Reaction Theory” was a case of misreporting. He said that it had been his considered opinion that violence cannot be replied to by violence and he had appealed for peace. Modi told the SIT, he had not and would never justify any action or reaction by a mob against innocents. (SIT report pgs. 187-188).
d. Modi informed the SIT that when this news item misquoting him appeared in TOI, the state government immediately sent a protest letter to the editor of The Times of India pointing out that the CM had not been interviewed by TOI nor had he justified the violence in the words attributed to him. But the TOI did not publish the correction issued by the CM’s office. It was brought to the notice of the editor twice in writing before the CM’s clarification was published on 23rd March—a good 20 days after the original story was published on 3rd March 2002. What is worse, while the inflammatory misquote attributed to Modi was published on the front page of TOI in both the national edition as well as in the Ahmedabad edition, the clarification by the CM’s office was published on 23rd March in a remote corner in the inside pages of the Ahmedabad edition while the Delhi edition did not carry it at all.
That these were not afterthoughts to save his skin is evident from a series of press statements and appeals on Doordarshan issued by Narendra Modi during that period. For example, on February 28, 2002, Narendra Modi released the following personal peace appeal in Gujarati broadcast across the state on Doordarshan at 7pm. It was repeatedly broadcast thereafter on the same evening. I’ve translated it verbatim in English.
The Hindi version with English subtitles is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIRMR8zW0iI. (The YouTube translation is stylistically somewhat different from mine given below, even though there is no difference in the overall content).
Yesterday in Godhra an inhuman tragedy struck. More than 40 women and children were burnt to death. 18 men were also burnt alive. In all 58 people were trapped inside a rail bogie and mercilessly massacred by cannibals. Such a heinous crime will bring tears to the eyes of the most hard-hearted person. This devilish and inhuman act committed in the land of Gujarat cannot be tolerated/justified in any civilized society. This crime cannot be forgiven. I want to assure the people of Gujarat that something like this will never be tolerated. The culprits will be appropriately punished for the crime they have committed.
Not only that, we will set an example so that in future no one will dare dream to commit such a heinous act. The government of Gujarat is committed to the protection of all its citizens. Those who take law into their hands and destroy the lives of innocent people have no place in a civilized society. I share the grief of the people of Gujarat. For any humanist such an incident would cause indescribable grief. But at the same time creating disturbances (ashanti) indiscipline and expressing outrage (akrosh) is not the solution.
Violating the law and venting your anger by indulging in riots cannot be tolerated in any civilized society. I understand your feelings but I pray to you that the need of the hour is to maintain peace and self-restraint. We are determined to punish those who have committed this crime. No one will escape their due punishment. Won’t you help the Government in saving Gujarat? Won’t you help us in maintaining peace and harmony? The Government of Gujarat appeals to you for help, appeals to you for shanti (peace) andsanyam (restraint/self-discipline).
In the midst of this akrosh (deep outrage) it is my humble request that in such a testing time Gujarat expects from you what it is best known for. There are numerous examples of how Gujarat has maintained peace and harmony during the most adverse of times. I want to remind you of this unique characteristic of Gujarat - of showing restraint and maintaining peace during adversities. Let us serve Gujarat by maintaining shanti and sanyam. Let us strengthen the arms of law. Let us create an atmosphere that will ensure the most severe punishment for the perpetrators of this heinous crime. I am confident that my solemn appeal will touch your hearts. Let me assure you that everyone in the Government feels the shock and pain experienced by you. We feel the same intensity of pain as you do.
Even the Prime Minister is deeply disturbed by these developments and so is the Home Minister of India. The entire country has expressed solidarity with and shares the grief of Gujarat. But the responsibility to maintain peace, harmony and restraint is ours.I understand your anger and outrage, I understand your pain. And yet in the self-interest of Gujarat, and to ensure that we don’t jeopardize the future of Gujarat, that Gujarat doesn’t get a blot on its face/ carry a stigma connected with these times all the 5 crore Gujaratis need to keep calm and exercise self-restraint.
I also want to express my gratitude to you that in the midst of so much anger, out of 18000 village of Gujarat, disturbances have broken out only in a handful of villages.
By and large, there is any atmosphere of peace. However, the incidents that have occurred in the cities of Gujarat are disturbing. It is my request to you, tit for tat is not a solution. “Ver ver thi shamtu nathi” (Hatred is never won over by hatred)
I am not here to give you sermons. But I see the bright future of Gujarat. For its sake, I seek your help come and help the Government in maintaining peace.
The government seeks your help in punishing the guilty through the due process of law. The government seeks your help in creating an environment of peace so that law can take its own course.
I have full faith that the people of Gujarat will respond to my appeal and will work together for a peaceful Gujarat.It is our responsibility to ensure that innocents do not suffer or lose their lives. Come, let us together work for establishing peace. Again, let me assure that I full share your grief and pain. However, let us together strengthen the hands of law so that the guilty get the severe punishment due to them to set a historic example. Once again I appeal to the people of Gujarat for peace.
Jai jaigarvi Gujarat mantra jeevant karne ke liye hame shanti ka marg hi chahiye.In order to give life to the mantra of Jai Garvi Gujarat, we need to follow the path of peace.
I for one cannot find fault with this speech. There is a not a trace of provocation or demagoguery in it. Even the body language and facial expressions of Modi are sombre and sad—far away from the kind of devilish reaction attributed to him.
It isn’t just this one speech. Throughout the month of March and April, Modi kept issuing similar peace appeals, no matter which platform he spoke from. Here are extracts from press releases issued by the state government and from his speeches.
1.03.2002
* Verify before printing/broadcasting-do not spread false news” 1st March 2002 (source CM Press Release 1.3.2002)
* Do not mention names of communities as per established press ethics and practices-to stop the spreading of violence…Do not show visuals of the dead people to avoid emotional flare ups leading to violence… There will be no compromise in law and order situation. Gujarat’s peace and tranquility will not be allowed to be disturbed by anti-social elements intent on exploiting the people’s anger/feelings… Restoring peace is our top most priority. We will act strongly against those disturbing the peace.” (source CM Press Release 1.3.2002)
2.03.2002
* Interest of Gujarat lies in peace and not in communal tension or disturbances… State Government is committed to pacify the wide spread anger amongst the people and restore law and order with strong political will... No one will be allowed to take law into their own hands and strict directives have been given to deal very firmly with all those provoking the people and all such elements trying to disturb the atmosphere.:” (source: CM Press Release 2.3.2002)
* I appeal to people to cooperate with the security staff in order to maintain law and order and in performance of their duties… Government cannot shy away from its moral duty of maintaining law and order in the state.” (source: Sandesh/Gujarat Samachar 2.3.2002)
3.03.2002
* March is the month of examinations and therefore, I appeal to parents, guardians and educationists to help restore peace quickly and keep the atmosphere stress-free so that all examination are finished in time.: (source: Gujarat Samachar 3.3.2002)
6.03.2002
* Society cannot progress in an atmosphere of revenge and in violating law and order with impunity whatsoever may be the provocation as this does not behave a civilized society…Government is determined to award exemplary punishment to the culprits.” (source: CM speech 6.3.2002 at a meeting with social leaders in Ahmedabad, CM press release 6.3.2202)
10.03.2002
* I will strengthen the law and order with a strong administrative will.” (source: Sandesh 10.3.2002
This Government will not spare offenders involved in disturbing peace” (source: Gujarat Samachar 10.3.2002)
14.03.2002
* I appeal to everyone not to be swayed by rumors and work for peace.” (source: CM Press Release no. 324, 14.3.2002, Ahmedabad)
18.03.2002
* When the CM was asked on 18th March 2002 “What is your personal assurance to the Muslim community”, he replied: “Safety and social harmony is my assurance. My government is as much theirs as of anyone else”…Godhra incident was painful; but it does not mean it is right for anyone to take law into his hands on the specious plea that is a reaction to what happened in Godhra...Rule of Law is supreme...there is no place for retributive justice (post Godhra) in a civilized society… Religious, social and political leaders will have to work in bringing back mutual trust within their communities”” [Hindustan Times quoting Janmabhoomi 18.3.2002]
22.03.2002
* Those disturbing the peace are inimical to the society at large… Law is common to one and all and any violator of law should not go unpunished by exploiting loopholes in law (Source: CM Press release no. 357, 22.3.2002)
Statements of Narendra Modi to SIT (27-28 Mar 2010):
* I had got recorded a message for the general public to maintain peace and harmony, which was continuously broadcast on the Doordarshan (p. 6, qn. 28).
* I used to meet the press almost daily … I used to appeal for peace and also highlighted the peaceful areas of the State (p. 7, qn. 30).
* It has been my Government’s approach right from the first day, that a culprit is a culprit irrespective of his caste, creed, religion or socio political background, as nobody is above law (p. 9, qn. 41).
* I have not taken a single reproachable step. When people realize the truth they will know that my government will not spare anyone responsible for violence. (Hindustan Times, quoting Janmabhoomi)
The SIT conclusion:
“No case is made against Narendra Modi because even though during riots ghastly violent attacks had taken place on Muslims at Gulberg Society, Naroda Patiya and elsewhere by unruly mob, yet the alleged statements made by Chief Minister Narendra Modi appeared to have been quoted out of context.”(SIT report page 99)
The full text of the SIT report clearly shows that this exoneration is based on examining not just the veracity of the controversial remarks of that day but also examining various other statements and speeches Modi made in the days following the Godhra incident. In addition, SIT also examined the actual actions of the state government. This included airlifting and deployment of the Army within 20 hours of the outbreak of violence. Despite various lapses, it is not as if the police was deliberately immobilized. Police lobbed15369 tear gas shells to quell the rioters. Out of 10559 rounds of ammunition fired 5450 rounds were fired during the first three days itself. Numerous Hindus were killed in police firing at riotous mobs. Even though violence had broken out at numerous locations in different parts of the state, riots were controlled within 72 hours.
Most important of all, the state has been totally free of communal tension in the last 11 years. There has not been a single day of curfew since then whereas in the earlier decades, curfews due to frequent communal outbreaks were a routine occurrence.
Since the newspapers and TV channels that misquoted Modi, refused to rectify their mistake the mischievous misquote acquired a life of its own and continues to be used as part of smear campaign even after the SIT cleared Modi of this charge.
This is not the first or the last time Narendra Modi’s speeches or interviews have been twisted beyond recognition by selectively picking a phrase or two out of a whole speech or interview and presented in a distorted manner to present him in a demonic light. I became aware of this game when the national media went berserk over Narendra Modi’s “50 crore rupees girlfriend” remark during the course of an election campaign speech in Himachal Pradesh. On the day this controversy broke out, one of the national TV channels asked me to join them for a panel discussion on this issue. It was expected of me that as a women’s rights activist, I would join the chorus of outraged feminists to condemn Modi for his supposedly obscene anti-women remark.
However, since as a rule I don’t start reacting in the media on the basis of cursory newspaper or TV reports, I requested the guest coordinator and the anchor of the program to send me the full text of the speech. But they said they did not have the full speech and sent me just one or two lines of that speech. I told them I would join the TV panel only if I could lay my hands on the full speech.
Fortunately for me, the full speech was available on YouTube. This was the first speech of Modi I ever heard and it proved a major turning point for me. Modi had raised serious and substantial issues throughout that speech and talked with great sensitivity to the plight of rural women. Even though the “50 crore rupees girlfriend” phrase was not in good taste but given the context in which it was said, his charges had substance. And yet, not a single TV channel or newspaper report or editorial dealt with the speech as a whole or picked up any salient issue. For days on end this phrase was bandied around as an ultimate proof of Modi’s misogyny and to declare him unfit for any high office. When I tried to point this out in the TV debate and later through an article in The Indian Express, I was attacked for having turned an apologist for a “fascist”.
Since then I have downloaded and heard dozens of Modi speeches addressing diverse audiences—from students in elite institutions, to farmers, teachers, government officials, business chambers, public meetings organized by religious organizations, by women’s organizations as well as speeches made during election campaigns in different states. I find that each of them deal with serious issues in a serious way. I reproduce below an English translation of the “50 crore girlfriend speech” to enable the readers to judge for themselves.
Modi’s “50 Crore Rupee Girl friend” Speech during Himachal Elections
When I come to Himachal, I feel this is my second home outside Gujarat. I have lived and worked amidst you for long years. I am familiar with every inch of this land (chappe chappe se parichit hoon). Even today as soon as I reached Mandi I asked, do people still eat Sepu in this region or not? I have deep attachment to this region. If Gujarat was not in the midst of elections, I would have spent several days with you to refresh those memories. But just as you are making all efforts to uproot the Congress from this state, the people of Gujarat are also readying themselves to say good bye to the Congress for ever.
Brothers and sisters, today the whole world is talking about Gujarat’s development. Wherever you go, people say, Gujarat has worked wonders. How did this miracle happen, what is the secret behind it? I can say with confidence that If my brothers and sisters of Himachal come to understand this secret of Gujarat’s success, my Himachal will also begin to shine as brightly as Gujarat. This is my promise to you.
Brothers and sisters, the citizens of Gujarat have done one big thing. Normally this happens in very few states of India. The six crore Gujaratis have given the state political stability and rajnaitik sthirta by repeatedly re-electing a BJP government in the state. This stability forces a political party to be accountable.
When there is a change of regime every five years, it does not promote a culture of political accountability. Since Gujaratis have elected me CM three times, they can ask me: Tell us Modiji what did you do about this or that? But if you are in power for just 5 years, then there is no space to ask questions from political leaders.
So brothers and sisters, I have come with just this one message for you from Gujarat—you have experimented enough with changing the governments over and again. Due to these frequent changes, there cannot be firmness of policies, nor time to set the system right. The state remains stagnant as a result. Brothers and sisters, I have come from Gujarat to plead with you, I have come to this devabhoomi to plead with you, come to beg the citizens of this sacred land to focus on the principles of political stability behind Gujarat’s development. Please elect the government of Dhumalji. I promise you that I am willing to be held accountable about his next 5 year term. Himachal will show you the same track record of development that Gujarat has shown.
Yesterday, “Maun Mohan” Singh ji came for a tour of Himachal and the big news in today’s newspapers is that “Maun Mohan” Singh broke his silence (maun) in Himachal. No one knows what the PM thinks about the state of affairs in India. Some days ago Madam Sonia ji had come to the same venue here in Mandi. PM has also come. Many others will follow suit one after another. I would have felt happy, I would have felt a sense of satisfaction (santosh milta) that the PM and Sonia Madam care about the poor of this country if they had spoken about price rise, if they had expressed sympathy, compassion (samvedna) and concern for the poor of this country—if only they said, we have failed thus far to control inflation and price rise but we will at some point succeed in bringing them under control
Brothers and sisters, I want to ask you did either of these two speak a word about price rise? Have they given any answers why prices are rising so phenomenally? Did they express any pain on that account? Price rise is a burning issue today. And yet their heart doesn’t hurt on its account.
Is it not the duty of the Prime Minister to explain to the people what happened to his party’s promises? When they fought the last election, they had promised that they will bring inflation under control in 100 days. But it is over 2000 days since then. Should they not apologize to the people and say ‘we have not succeeded in controlling price rise. This is our lapse. People should forgive us for this lapse’.
But the Congress Party is so arrogant, it has no care for the sentiments of people, they don’t care for the country either. They are busy doing their own thing. They are arrogant enough to think that the world is in their jhola (shoulder bag); they can twist and turn the world as they like.
What is worse they have even snatched your gas cylinders. My mothers and sisters are sitting here in large numbers. This is a cold region. Therefore food gets cold in no time hereand women have to heat and reheat the food several times in a day. In such a situation when they take away your gas cylinders, are women going to serve uncooked food to their husbands?
In the normal course of things, a family uses about 24 gas cylinders in a year. But they have announced that a family will get six cylinders a year. Will the poor families be able to afford buying 18 cylinders in the black market? Will such families not be forced to revert to firewood chulhas? Will they not have to go back to collecting firewood from the forests? Will it not lead to the destruction of the lush green land of Himachal? Won’t my Himachal be forced to cut down forests? The same Himachal of which the entire country is proud will have no option but to cut its trees in order to cook its daily meals. If anyone is to be held responsible for the consequent deforestation it is the Delhi Sultanate!
I want to pay my tribute to Prem Kumar Dhumalji that despite getting no help from Delhi he cares for the travails of our mothers and sisters, he cares that the children get warm food. Therefore, he has promised to give a gas stove to every family. I consider this a very important step.
Friends, this is not like the empty promises Congress makes. He has shown it will be done. No false promises, no empty slogans. If I was a citizen of Himachal, my vote would have certainly gone to Dhumal ji for his act of compassion, for his care for the poor families of Himachal. This is a slap on the face of the Delhi government. This is not a mere chulha, this stove will not just cook food; this stove will reduce the entire Congress Party to ashes.
Brothers and Sisters, I want to tell you a story about Gujarat. We began the process of providing cooking gas to every home through a pipeline. I was able to accomplish the task in 300 villages. Seven lakh rural households/ families began getting gas through a pipeline just as people get piped water in homes. It was my dream to provide this gas pipeline to 20 lakh more households last year. The Congressman realized that if Modi manages to reach a gas pipeline to every home and that too at half the cost of cylindered gas, all the women will gravitate towards Modi’s side and Congress will be totally marginalized; it will not survive.
So what did they do? They enacted a law through the Government of India that only the Central Government can provide gas pipeline. No state government can provide gas to its citizens through a pipeline.
Now you tell me, why such poison? Is Gujarat not a part of India? Is it in some foreign land that you decide to cut off its pipeline? Does this act behove you? If they hadn’t cut off the gas supply, today 20 lakh families would have had gas supply in their home at the turn of a tap. It would have saved the expense of 3 crores gas cylinders. That in itself would have saved Government of India a subsidy of 15000 crore rupees! But because Modi was getting the credit for all this in Gujarat, they stopped this work.
Brothers and sisters, I am not the kind to sit quiet. They don’t realize Modi knows how to fight back. I have now knocked at the doors of the Supreme Court. I will not rest till I make the Government in Delhi bend on this.
Brothers and sisters, look at the character of the Congress Party. They have altogether lost lok laaj (public shame). At one time lok laaj used to be the biggest asset of people in public life. Lok laaj has been an important consideration since the time of Prabhu Ram. In our society, lok laaj has played a very important role. But Congress has altogether abandoned lok laaj. They had a Power Minister. During his tenure there was a power breakdown for 48 hours in 19 states of India. It was a total black-out due to failure of power supply. 70 crore citizens of India had to live in darkness for 48 hours. Those who were in hospital operation theatres had to suffer the risk of doctors having to stop the operation mid-way. Those who were travelling in trains were stuck mid-way. The world over, newspapers commented ‘what kind of country is India that even in the 21st century it cannot provide electricity to its people.’ There were long full half page articles on this. But at the end of these long articles, there would be a small paragraph saying on the one hand all of India was submerged in darkness and on the other side was the state of Gujarat where alone lights were shining bright. But the point of telling you the story is different.
The minister under whose charge India was submerged into darkness, the minister who caused so much international embarrassment for India, that minister should have been made to quit that very night. But look at the character of the Congress Party! Look at their culture- how they behave without any sense of shame! Without a thought for lok laaj, see how they behave. That very week that minister was given a promotion and made the Home Minister of India!
If you are a failure, you commit crimes, indulge in wrong doing, you get promoted in the Congress Party. There is another Congress minister -- Salman Khursheed ji. I don’t know whether he is “Khurshid ji’ or “Kursi ji’. Serious allegations were leveled against him- the charge of gobbling up money meant for disabled persons. No enquiry was held, no facts revealed, no action was taken. He should have been asked to resign. There was real heartburn in the country. But what did they do? Yesterday, he too was given promotion. You commit crimes and earn a promotion! You cheat and you get a promotion!
There used to be another Congress minister. He was accused of siphoning off money in the cricket scam and much else. He stood in the parliament and said I have no relation with the woman in whose account Rs.50 crore was deposited. He declared this in parliament. And yet, within a month the invitation cards of his wedding with that same woman were being distributed all over the place!
Brothers and sisters, you tell me, have you ever seen a 50 crore rupee girlfriend in this impoverished country? At that time, it had created such a stink that he was forced to resign. That matter is still hanging where it was. But yesterday, he too was exonerated with honour by being given a ministerial berth. This is Congress culture!
Brothers and sisters, what happened with your Himachal? A Central government minister from Himachal Pradesh was indicted by the High Court. So Congress felt pressed enough to accept the resignation of Veer Bhadra Singh ji. After that they tell him this is enough. But what did they do after that? They accepted his resignation from the Central Cabinet and handed over the charge of the entire state of Himachal Pradesh to him. Brothers and sisters, this is the work style of the Congress.
I am shocked at the kind of culture Congress Party wishes to let loose in this country! Why should such a party be tolerated in the country?
This is not all. Recently, there was an income tax raid on a steel company. They found a note that such and such amount has been given to a certain V.B.S. Income Tax department carried out an investigation. Do you know who that V.B.S turned out to be? Congressmen declared that V.B.S is not Veer Bhadra Singh. Well, he is actually Veer Bhrashtar Singh (Courageous Corruption Singh).
Brothers and sisters, if there are stray instances of corruption then this country has the ability to fix those persons. But when bhrastachar becomes shistachar ( corruption becomes a way of life) at the highest echelons of power, when there is all round laxity in dealing with corruption, when overlooking charges of corruption becomes an ingrained characteristic, then the country is in deep crisis. This is why we need to be afraid of the Congress. It is not a matter of one or two scams. This is a matter of Congress Party making bhrastachar into shistachar. And if corruption becomes a way of life, you can well imagine how this country will be destroyed.
Brothers and sisters, I feel deeply disturbed on another account. India has a federal structure. Diverse states join together to make this country. This has been laid down by the Constitution makers of this country.
But it has become an ingrained habit of the Central government to conspire to bring down BJP led governments and put road blocks in the development of those states which are ruled by the BJP. I urge my journalist friends to analyse the character of the present day Congress Party. It is the need of the hour. We need to research this issue with a new perspective. At the time when the Congress flag used to fly all over the country- this party used to rule from the panchayats to the parliament- if an opposition party came to form the government in some state, no matter with how large a majority- the Congress Party used all kinds of foul means, all kinds of weapons to divide the ruling party in that state, even if meant buying and selling the loyalty of MLA’s; it would lure them with lucrative offers in order to bring down those governments. For 20 years, the Congress kept doing such things. And if it failed to divide and reduce the opposition ruled state to a minority, then it misused Article 356 of the Indian Constitution on some pretext or the other to bring down that non-Congress government. The Congress Party misused the Constitutional institutions of the country to continually crush other political parties.
But today this is beyond the power of the Congress. They are not able to trample upon states; they are not able to bring down non-Congress state governments. Today they are unable to mindlessly misuse Article 356. I urge my journalist friends and political pundits to study the strategy of the Congress Party. The same Congress that kept on bringing down state governments by misusing the Constitution for 20 years is today conspiring to throw muck and tarnish the character of leading politicians. It misuses Constitutional bodies for this purpose. It misuses all the investigative agencies that are under its charge. Whenever a non Congress party is on the ascendant, Congress implicates it in all kinds of charges, spreads false canards about them; they use the media to unleash one sided smear campaigns. This is its latest shadyantra (conspiracy).
There is not a single opposition party leader who has been spared such targeting in the last 10 years. They have chosen the strategy of character assassination. And what do they do after that? Misuse the CBI for partisan politics. Even when they need a vote in parliament, they bring the CBI into the battle field. Friends, I say it with challenge, in Gujarat; it is not the Congress Party which is fighting the election. You will be surprised to know that in Gujarat the Congress party is nowhere in the electoral field. The candidates maybe of the Congress party but the election is being fought by the CBI! These are the stratagems being used.
Brothers and sisters, wherever there are BJP state governments, they are being meted out injustice; their development is being road blocked, they are treated as though they are an enemy nation. This is how the Delhi government treats BJP governments. I make this allegation against the Congress openly. Brothers and sisters, I have seen how they have tried to destroy BJP governments.
You see for yourself in Himachal: one of the main development tasks in this hill state is that of building roads because every now and then a landslide causes roads to cave in and hills to come crumbling down. Such damage is common in hill areas. The Government of India makes tall claims and Madam Sonia ji came here and said, we have given Himachal Rs 10,000 crores. Madam, I want to ask you, did you bring these 10,000 crore rupees with your dowry? This money is the product of the hard labour of 100 crore Indians. This is not your personal property. Delhi [Government] better listen to this with open ears: you cannot put us down in the name of money [grants].
Bharatiya Janata Party is a party dedicated to the people of India. We are working for the development of our people. This is no way to behave. If we ask for a cup of sugar from a neighbour’s house, does he ever say: “I gave you sugar the other day when you had guests in your house!” Do our mothers and sisters ever say that? After all, these are routine dealings. But she comes and says, ‘I gave you 10,000 crores. Madam Sonia ji, if you do not know how to rule from Delhi, you better quit power.’
You have all the institutions at your disposal to seek accounts from various states. Till date, none of your constitutional bodies have dared point a finger at Dhumalji. Why not check the accounts? He has got the full accounts. The Planning Commission has the entire account of that expenditure. This state runs according to the laws and regulations of the land. But in order to misguide people, you make all these charges. I am surprised even ‘Maun Mohan’ Singh ji also made similar statements. But I was glad that ‘Maun Mohan’ Singhji spoke a sentence or two admitting that Himachal has witnessed development. But he later added that the money came from Delhi.
Brothers and sisters, Delhi is the capital of Hindustan and Himachal is an integral part of Hindustan. It is an insult to the Constitution of India to speak of Himachal as if it is separate from India.
Brothers and sisters, Dhumal ji is a good friend of mine. I’ve had deep links with the land of Himachal. I’ve come from Gujarat to ask for something special. I want you to vote in large numbers on the coming 4th [in the forthcoming election]
Please press the button on BJP’s lotus symbol to register your voice against corruption, press the button on lotus symbol to register your outrage against price rise, press the button with lotus symbol to express your resolve to uproot the Delhi Sultanate. Brothers and sisters you should not allow the evil deeds being committed in Delhi to enter this Devabhoomi [the land of gods]. This is a sacred land of India. My Himachal is a sacred place. It is the Devabhoomi of India. Please do not let the evil deeds of Delhi to enter this region. Protect Himachal from them. I’m fully confident that Dhumal ji will protect Himachal.
I’m grateful to the brothers and sisters of Himachal Pradesh for giving me so much honour. I’m very thankful to you.
Please join me in saying: Bharat Mata ki Jai.
The bulk of Modi’s speech dealt with burning issues of our times such as price rise, fuel scarcity, corruption scams, lack of accountability of those in power, distortions in Centre-state relations. He focused in particular on the impact of inflation on poor households and addressed specific issues concerning rural women from poorer households and critiques policies that increase drudgery in women’s lives. He deals with the subversion of federal principles and the resultant distortion of political priorities in India.
Neither print nor electronic media chose to focus on these issues when they endlessly debated the “50 crore” remark for days on end. Neither did the media care to investigate and discuss whether the claims made by Modi regarding the piped gas project and universal rural electrification in Gujarat are accurate or exaggerated. It is well known that the Congress party’s use of Central funds to arm-twist chief ministers undermines federalism and vitiates Centre-state relations, impairing the health of our democracy. The Centre’s near-total monopoly over key sources of taxation leaves state governments at the mercy of the Delhi durbar, distorts state policies and development programs. Modi has repeatedly raised this issue but it does not invite the slightest notice in media.
For example, most state governments end up pushing liquor sales because that is one of the few sources of revenue they can impose directly. Villages that lack clean drinking water have a plentiful supply of government-patronized liquor shops. This drains out incomes of poor households, leads to greater domestic violence and strengthens the hold of political goondas who own these liquor thekas in villages.
But the media did not spend a fraction of the time discussing these vital issues concerning women and democracy. Instead, for hours and days non-stop, we heard militant feminists breathing fire and brimstone and TV anchors emoting profusely over the alleged insult hurled by Modi at Shashi Tharoor’s wife. They were provided hours of TV time to play victim. No one discussed Tharoor’s involvement in the cricket scam which had earlier forced Tharoor to resign. There was no mention of why he was reinstated while the charge remained hanging without investigation. The controversial phrase, “Rs. 50 crore girlfriend” referred to Congress Party’s penchant for rewarding its ministers for scams and scandals showing its scant respect for accountability.
Such sarcasm is the stuff of all election speeches everywhere in the world. In fact, compared to the invectives and abusive terms routinely used against Modi by Congressmen and pro Congress NGOs, this is mild stuff. He has been called a scorpion, a snake, a fascist, a mass murderer, merchant of death and worse by senior Congress leaders on prime time television. I have never witnessed any fuss being made about the hate speeches leveled at Modi in particular and BJP in general.
What happens to Narendra Modi is not important. What is important is the systematic distortion of facts, corruption of public discourse in India through gross misuse of the media and subversion of public institutions for partisan ends, including the highest judiciary of the land.
The credibility of the media and the human rights community in India has been seriously eroded because of their brazenly partisan conduct. It is tragic to see our supposedly independent media and NGOs claiming to be defenders of democratic rights and minority rights willingly act as the fighting arms of the Congress Party even when it is playing sinister divide and rule policy in order to stay in power.
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