Modi says fast is not for religion on his 2nd day of fast

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on sunday said that his three-day fast was not aimed at entreat "any particular community or religion". But he admitted people had suffered extreme pain in Gujarat, where the 2002 communal riots claimed at least 1,000 lives, mostly Muslim.

"Sadbhavna Mission is not about any particular community or religion. It is about the people of Gujarat. Gujarat's progress has shown the way forward," Modi said on the second day of his fast, flanked by top Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.

"Gujarat has suffered immense pain. I empathise with the families that have suffered. I can still feel the pain," Modi said in his address in what was seen as a reference to the Gujarat communal violence in 2002.

"The mission is to unite, not divide. Gujarat is my family, the six crore Gujaratis' happiness and grief, dreams and aspirations are mine," Modi asserted. The fast is taking place at the Gujarat University and is widely seen as a bid to woo the minorities.

Modi cited the achievements of his 10-year reign for the fast aiming for "peace, unity and harmony".

The chief minister also indicated working within the BJP.

"We will work on the differences. And work together to take the BJP forward among the people of India," Modi told a news channel.

Day 2 of the fast may see BJP member and former cricketer Navjot Singh Siddhu at the venue.

The first day saw a galaxy of party stalwarts, including L.K. Advani, Arun Jaitley, Ravi Shanker Prasad, former party president Rajnath Singh, Kalraj Mishra, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi as well as Rajya Sabha member and TV star Smriti Irani.

AIADMK leader in the Lok Sabha M. Thambidurai and his counterpart in the Rajya Sabha V. Maitreyan were also present.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal also came. However, there was no representative of the Janata Dal-United with which the BJP shares power in Bihar.

The fast is being countered by Modi's Congress rival and one-time Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh colleague Shankarsinh Vaghela at the Sabarmati Ashram.

Vaghela slammed Modi's event with his parallel fast to protest his regime's "corruption and wastefulness".

Police lathicharge supporters
Meanwhile, police had to lathicharge the unruly crowd when it tried to forcefully enter the venue of the fast.

According to the police, the incident happened when thousands of supporters wanted to enter the fast venue. One person was injured in the ruckus.

Read Post | comments

MODI'S 72-hour fast starts

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today began his three-day fast for “peace, unity and communal harmony” in the BJP-ruled state.

The BJP stalwart’s 72-hour fast under `Sadbhavna Mission’ coincides with his 62nd birthday. The venue, Gujarat University Convention Centre here – where a host of leaders from the BJP and its key ally Shiromani Akali Dal have arrived – has been put under strict vigil by the police.

On the eve of fast, Modi had issued a statement that was interpreted as his first sign of regret over the 2002 post-Godhra communal violence.

“Constitution of India is supreme for us. As a Chief Minister of the state, pain of anybody in the state is my pain. (Delivering) Justice to everyone is the duty of the state,” Modi had said yesterday.

Modi, in an attempt to reach out to the minority community, had said the state has realised that communal frenzy and casteism never helped anybody grow in the country and expressed “gratitude” to those who pointed out his mistakes in the last 10 years.

BJP leaders like L K Advani, Arun Jaitely, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Sahanawaz Hussain, Smriti Irani and Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Prem Kumar Dhumal, among others, were present when Modi began his fast.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, whose party Shiromani Akali Dal is a key member of the BJP-led NDA, was also present.

Leaders of Shiv Sena, BJP’s ally for over two decades, and emissaries of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha of AIADMK are also expected to come here to in support of Modi.

In response to Modi’s move, Gujarat Congress leaders Shankarsinh Vaghela and Arjun Modhvadia also started their fast on a footpath in front of Sabarmati Ashram.

Read Post | comments

Ahead of his fast, Narendra Modi condemns 'communal frenzy & casteism'

Friday, September 16, 2011

On the eve of his three-day fast, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi expressed "gratitude" to those who pointed out his mistakes in the last 10 years and said the state has realised that communal frenzy and casteism never helped anybody grow in the country.

"Constitution of India is supreme for us. As a chief minister of the state, pain of anybody in the state is my pain. (Delivering) Justice to everyone is the duty of the state," Modi said on the eve of his three-day fast.

Modi's remarks are being interpreted as his first ever expression of regret over the post-Godhra communal riots in which more than 1,200 people, mostly Muslims, were killed. He has been severely criticised for not expressing any remorse over the killings since 2002.

The chief minister is going on a three-day fast from tomorrow -- his 62nd birthday -- for "peace, unity and harmony" in the state. 






Full text of Narendra Modi's second letter : 

My dear Brothers and Sisters!

Sadar Pranam,

Today, I begin my three-day fast of Sadbhavna Mission with your blessings and good wishes. This Mission is totally dedicated to the society and the Nation. It aims at Unity, Harmony and Brotherhood among all.

Twenty first century did not begin well for Gujarat. In 2001, the devastating earthquake on our Republic day, took a very heavy toll. In the subsequent year, Gujarat became the victim of communal violence. We lost innocent lives, suffered devastation of property and endured lot of pain. One can visualise what all we have gone through.

Those were very difficult and trying days. However, Gujarat has come out of these difficulties and leapfrogged on the path of development. Today, Gujarat is progressing fast. The atmosphere of peace, unity, social harmony and brotherhood has given further impetus to the process of development.

The Indian history is a witness that casteism and communalism have never done any good to society. This is also my own firm conviction. Gujarat has understood this and having overcome these evils, it has adopted the path of Inclusive Development. We are committed to work for a developed Gujarat for a developed India.

My dear Brothers and Sisters, no State, society or individual can claim to be perfect. I am grateful to all those who pointed out my genuine mistakes during last 10 years. I seek your blessings to serve the people with devotion free from all human shortcomings. As Chief Minister of the State, the pain of each and every citizen is my own pain. Ensuring Justice to all is the duty of the State.

The six crore people of Gujarat are working together for their own development and that of the State. The poorest of the poor is a partner in this process and is confident that he will get the fruits of development. Everyone has inculcated the State's ethos of 'Development of all with Cooperation of all' (Sabka Saath - Sabka Vikaas).

During my fast, I will continue to pray to the Almighty to give me strength so that I do not develop or retain any ill-feeling or bitterness towards those who defamed Gujarat or me by making false allegations.

Our country is a shining example of Unity in Diversity. I am confident that with your blessings, this Sadbhavna Mission will further strengthen our social fabric.

I will also pray to God to give the requisite strength to all of us to take this Sadbhavna Mission forward.

Vande Mataram!

Always yours,
Narendra Modi

Read Post | comments