Author: TNN
Publication: The Times of India
Date: September 13, 2011
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Peace-harmony-and-unity-Narendra-Modi-to-fast-for-three-days/articleshow/9969480.cms
Day after the Supreme Court verdict in Gulbarga
Society riot case, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi hit out at his detractors
for defaming him for the 2002 riots and announced he would undertake a three-day
fast for peace, harmony and unity in his state.
"One thing is apparent from the Supreme
Court's judgment. The unhealthy environment created by the unfounded and false
allegations made against me and government of Gujarat, after 2002 riots, has
come to an end. For the past ten years, it has become fashionable to defame
me and the state of Gujarat," Modi said in an open letter to Gujarat
people.
The controversial chief minister, who is
increasingly being seen as BJP's poster boy who could play a larger role in
national politics in the run up to 2014 Lok Sabha polls, insisted those defaming
him could not tolerate any positive development of Gujarat.
He charged these people have not left any
stone unturned to defame his state.
"It is difficult to say whether this
campaign of defamation will stop even after the judgment of the Supreme Court.
But one thing is certain that the credibility of those who have been spreading
lies and defaming Gujarat has come to its lowest ebb. The people of this country
will not trust such elements anymore," he said in a letter.
Modi said that as part of his responsibility
to strengthen social harmony and brotherhood, he is planning to start a movement
called "Sadbhavana Mission".
"As part of this Sadbhavana Mission,
I have resolved to fast for three days from Saturday, 17th September 2011.
My fast will conclude on 19th September. I deeply believe that this fast will
further strengthen Gujarat's environment of peace, unity and harmony,"
Modi said.
