Author: From our correspondents
Publication: Organiser
Date: April 21, 2002
BJP's National Executive has unanimously
supported the Gujarat chief Minister Narendra Modi for putting a brave
front to fight Islamic fundamentalism in his State. The National Executive
advised Shri Modi for the dissolution of the Assembly and to seek a fresh
mandate to govern keeping in view the situation in the State.
Earlier, addressing a massive rally
at Panaji, Goa, Prime Minister Vajpayee accused a section of the minority
community and said that they are "not wanting to live together and wanting
to propagate their view with terror and fear".
Shri Vajpayee said that the riots
in Gujarat could have been avoided if kar sevaks were not charred to death
in Godhra through a conspiracy. The Govermnent was trying to find out who
were behind the ghastly act, the PM said while condemning the incidents
that followed the carnage. He added that one must not forget who lit the
fire and how it spread.
During his speech the Prime Minister
exerted that, "Two forms of Islam prevailed at the moment. One was that
which was tolerant... the kind of religion that believed in spreading the
message of honesty, kindness and love, he said. The other spread dangerous
teachings."
In the second form of religion,
there was no place of tolerance he added.
Through jihad, the militant Islam
is trying to change the world to its fold, Shri Vajpayee said. He added
that wherever Muslim lived, they refuse to intermingle with the other part
of society. They are forcing their wishes through terror tactics", the
PM pointed out.
Shri Vajpayee said Muslims should
learn to live in peace with others and should not spread the message of
their religion through the force of sword.
Countering to the pseudosecularists,
Shri Vajpayee said that India did not need lessons of secularism from others.
"India was secular even before Islam and Christianity put their feet here
in India", he added.
The Prime minister dwelt at length
on Islamic fundamentalism in the countries he visited recently. He said
that the Hindu kings in other countries also fought among them but never
indulged in destroying places of worship. That was not our culture, he
said.
