Author: PTI
Publication: Times of India
Date: December 27, 2003
In a blistering attack on Hindutva
baiters , Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has exhorted the society
to "recognise" all such elements and challenged those who have triggered
a "controversy" by differentiating between Hindutva and development.
Narendra Modi has challenged Hindu
baiters to a debate "It is high time that we recognise these elements,
who do not miss a single opportunity to criticise this rich tradition of
the country. The nation's society, which has inculcated Hindutva as a way
of life, has never been intolerant and narrow-minded", Modi said, addressing
a function of Pushtimargiya sect at Vallabh Vidyanagar town of Anand district
yesterday.
Asserting that "Hindutva" has never
waged a war against humanity, Modi said it was the path of devotion adopted
by Hindu saints and acharayas, which became a backbone for freedom movement
in the country. "Our country has witnessed a cultural invasion by apostates
and freedom struggle in two phases during last 400 years. Yet Hindu saints
were determined not to let the true values and principles of our culture
slip into oblivion", the chief minister added.
Dismissing as "illusion" the belief
that people of country are "rigid" about religion , Modi said it is only
the Hindu in entire world, who can "never ever" differentiate between Gods.
"I throw a challenge for debate against all those people who have sparked
a controversy by advocating that Hindutva and development cannot go together,"
he said.
