ID :
207612
Fri, 09/16/2011 - 22:38
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/207612
The shortlink copeid
Pain of anyone in the state is 'my pain': Modi
Ahmedabad, Sep 16 (PTI) In a statement that was
interpreted as his first sign of regret over the 2002
post-Godhra violence, western Indian state Gujarat Chief
Minister Narendra Modi Friday said the pain of anyone in the
state is "my pain" and he had a duty to do justice for
everyone.
"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.
His detractors have always cited the remarks of former
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee that Modi should follow
"rajdharma" and that he had failed to do this.
In a letter to the people of this country, Modi in an
attempt to reach out to the minority community, 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.
The chief minister is going on a three-day fast from
Saturday -- his 62nd birthday -- for "peace, unity and
harmony" in the state.
"I hope Sadbhavna Mission launched by me will be a
success by your blessings," Modi said in the letter.
"Gujarat had the worst earthquake in 2001 and was
engulfed in communal riots in 2002. We can imagine that those
were the worst days," Modi said.
"Gujarat has come out of those dark days and is
progressing on the path of development. The later atmosphere
of peace, unity, harmony and brotherhood has fuelled the
growth of Gujarat," Modi said.
The Chief Minister, who has been accused of inaction
during the communal riots, said the poison of casteism and
communal frenzy have never helped anybody.
"In the history of the country, it has been witnessed
that poison of casteism and communal frenzy have never helped
anybody. Gujarat has understood this. Rising above such
perversions of social and national life, Gujarat has chosen
the road of progress," he said.
"My heartfelt thanks to those who have shown my true
mistakes in the last ten years when I have been the Chief
Minister."
Modi's announcement of fast has evoked criticism from
opposition Congress, which has dubbed it as a "gimmick", and
activists such as Mallika Sarabhai.
"No people or state can claim that they are 100 per
cent better. Please give me your blessings that we can address
our shortcomings and serve the people better. We should be
able to help Gujarat progress for the progress of India," the
letter said.
interpreted as his first sign of regret over the 2002
post-Godhra violence, western Indian state Gujarat Chief
Minister Narendra Modi Friday said the pain of anyone in the
state is "my pain" and he had a duty to do justice for
everyone.
"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.
His detractors have always cited the remarks of former
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee that Modi should follow
"rajdharma" and that he had failed to do this.
In a letter to the people of this country, Modi in an
attempt to reach out to the minority community, 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.
The chief minister is going on a three-day fast from
Saturday -- his 62nd birthday -- for "peace, unity and
harmony" in the state.
"I hope Sadbhavna Mission launched by me will be a
success by your blessings," Modi said in the letter.
"Gujarat had the worst earthquake in 2001 and was
engulfed in communal riots in 2002. We can imagine that those
were the worst days," Modi said.
"Gujarat has come out of those dark days and is
progressing on the path of development. The later atmosphere
of peace, unity, harmony and brotherhood has fuelled the
growth of Gujarat," Modi said.
The Chief Minister, who has been accused of inaction
during the communal riots, said the poison of casteism and
communal frenzy have never helped anybody.
"In the history of the country, it has been witnessed
that poison of casteism and communal frenzy have never helped
anybody. Gujarat has understood this. Rising above such
perversions of social and national life, Gujarat has chosen
the road of progress," he said.
"My heartfelt thanks to those who have shown my true
mistakes in the last ten years when I have been the Chief
Minister."
Modi's announcement of fast has evoked criticism from
opposition Congress, which has dubbed it as a "gimmick", and
activists such as Mallika Sarabhai.
"No people or state can claim that they are 100 per
cent better. Please give me your blessings that we can address
our shortcomings and serve the people better. We should be
able to help Gujarat progress for the progress of India," the
letter said.
