Friday, April 15, 2011

ASSERTION OF YOUTH POWER IN SUPPORT OF NARENDRA MODI

B.RAMAN

The storm in the tea cup raised by some so-called secular elements over the praise by Anna Hazare, the social activist, of the rural development achievements of Shri Narendra Modi, their whipping-boy, in his State of Gujarat underlines once again the determination of these elements to keep Modi quarantined in his past and not to take cognizance of his achievements in ushering in an era of prosperity and development in Gujarat. All sections of the population of the State---whatever be their religion or language--- have benefited from the efficient, corruption-free and people-friendly administration given by him to the State for the last three or four years.

2. The results achieved by him comparable to the results achieved in Western China---but not yet in coastal China--- demonstrate that we can catch up with China earlier than anticipated if only we had leaders with the kind of motivation, determination and vision that Modi has shown in developing his State.

3. Unfortunately, the so-called secular elements would rather keep Gujarat and the rest of the country backward and lagging behind China than acknowledge the record of Modi and let his Gujarat model of development become an Indian model.

4. The so-called secular elements that have taken up sword against Modi have only one objective---- keep him quarantined in his past and stop him from playing any role at the national level even if such a role would be of benefit to the country. The venom and hatred, which these elements keep spreading against him, are because of his strong Hindutva ideology, which is anathema to them, and his perceived sins of commission and omission during the horrendous acts of violence against our Muslim co-citizens in the aftermath of the massacre of a number of Hindu pilgrims by some Muslims at the Godhra railway station in Gujarat in the beginning of 2002.

5.There has been a perception---not unjustified---that Modi did not, in the initial stages, deal with the explosive situation vigorously in order to protect the members of the Muslim community from brutal and beastly reprisal attacks by the Hindus. The fact that the Police subsequently took vigorous action to protect the Muslims ---as evidenced by the large number of Hindus killed in police-firing--- would not mitigate from the fact that in the initial hours after the news of the Godhra massacre spread across the State, the administration dragged its feet in protecting the Muslims, thereby wittingly or unwittingly giving a free run to frenzied Hindu mobs. It was a horrible episode of which all of us have to be ashamed.

6. After the frenzy of the initial hours, the State Administration did move in vigorously to bring the situation under control. The fact that no effective action was taken in the initial hours has left a scar in the minds and hearts of Muslims. This scar is likely to take a long time to heal. The cases registered in connection with the brutal attacks on the Muslim community are under investigation or prosecution. The investigation made so far has not produced any evidence of complicity by Modi.

7. Under these circumstances, the right thing would have been to let the law take its own course in the cases registered and proposed to be registered and let Modi continue on the path of development of the State and not stand in the way of the aspirations of people, who want to see him play a much a larger political role at the national level so that the country as a whole benefits from the kind of efficient administration he has given Gujarat.

8. Modi enjoys the unqualified support of large sections of the Gujarat population and is increasingly admired for his drive and administrative acumen in other parts of the country too by people who can by no means be called Hindutva ideologues. People, who look up to him and want him to increasingly play a pan-Indian role, are nationalists and as much secular in their outlook and beliefs as the so-called secularists whose main preoccupation has become stopping Modi at every stage. They are concerned over the slow rate of development, over the aggravating internal security situation and over India lagging behind China. They feel that the type of governance and leadership that Modi has provided to the people of Gujarat needs to be tried out in other parts of India too, but these so-called secular elements are not prepared to let Modi play his due role for the development of the country.

9. The unexpected success of the Anna Hazare movement in the initial stages of the battle against corruption was made possible by the assertion of youth power in support of his movement. There is a need for a similar assertion of youth power in support of the development model as experimented with in Gujarat by Modi and for its spread to other parts of India. The Stop Modi Movement by these elements has to be stopped and rolled back. Only youth power can do it. ( 15-4-11)

( The writer is Additional Secretary ( retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, New Delhi, and, presently, Director, Institute For Topical Studies, Chennai, and Associate of the Chennai Centre For China Studies.. E-mail: seventyone2@gmail.com )

18 comments:

Raju Das said...

I hope now Barkha Dutt and Sagarika Ghose gets the message, they are fans of Raman Sir after all.

Dr Satya Saraswat said...

in no riots in india, have more than 250 rioters been killed by policemen. So guilty neither of commision or ommision. Regards.

bk5_singh said...

Raman sahab magnamanity in praising the good work of Narendra Modi is very statesman like and patriotic and of same genre as Sh Atal Bihari Vajpayee praising Indiraji at 1971 victory.

Kaushik said...

Salutations to B. Raman. U think well Sir. Actually u think very well
Kaushik Saha

Siva kumar said...

I hope Narendra modi become the pm of india one fine day.

Unknown said...

well i support you..modi and you both going in good directions..waiting for the day when modi become P.M...hope this english media praise him for his work..and let the nation know abt him..regard$.

Unknown said...

It's For Sure We Won't See Any More Shri B Raman On So Called Secular TV Channels AS In Past For Sin To Open Mouth Favoring Shri Narendra Modi.
For Those Pseudo Seculars Nothing Matter More Then To Oppose NaMo Even If It Hurt Our Long Term National Interest Or Future Development.

Unknown said...

Dear Mr. Raman,

Are you saying that even if Modi was complicit in the riots, he should get a pass because of his development work?

I agree Modi seems one of most upright and pro-development CMs (even though there is some scholarly disputation of this fact) - but that should have no bearing on judging his culpability for 2002.

Moreover, the problems with Modi’s actions were not limited to one week in 2002, but went on for a few years after that- by actively creating roadblocks to refugee settlement, insensitive and inflammatory anti-Muslim rhetoric, police persecution, etc. It is only in the past few years that Modi has decreased this shrillness, because of the realization it has irreparably damaged his reputation. And he is still forced to obfuscate on issues surrounding the riots, if only to protect himself legally.

I have felt that the turning point in Modi’s behavior was the US *revocation* of a valid visa (not denial, as is commonly thought) by an otherwise BJP and India-friendly Bush government- and he is aware the US does not take such actions lightly.

To my non-legal eyes, the vast preponderance of legally acceptable as well as anecdotal evidence is that Modi’s role went beyond just administrative incompetence to actual acts of commission against his own citizens. As justice in India is routinely delayed and denied – especially in prosecution of those in government- Modi not being convicted till now means little.

I still allow for the slight possibility that Modi was only incompetent (or as some say, framed) in those few days. If this can be established, that would mean we have an awesome CM. But that appears highly improbable at this point, and Modi’s own behavior since the riots speaks against that possibility (his interviews are always conditional on not questioning about the riots; he has refused even the NY Times an interview all these years).

Maybe the many years that have passed have dimmed your recollection of those events. Or you think because Gujarati Muslims are trying to ‘put it behind’ them, everyone else should. But that does not mean you should trivialize and label people who remember those brutal weeks, as it affects your own credibility as a thoughtful and serious commentator.

Best regards.

harshadbrahmbhatt@hotmil.com said...

I SAPOORT GART CM OF GUJART NARDARBAI
HARSHAD BRAHMBHATT SERCAO

Unknown said...

Let people speck ill of him but he is firm for the development of Gujarat and India. Its good that Indians have realized to talk about good things at last! We want to see that man as PM of India.

nri2008 said...

Dear Ramanji,

I admire your writing because of your honest and forthright views in support of nation building. I consider myself to be liberal in my political views and your philosophy tto is that of a modern and secular Indian. One should respect the best in one's national and cultural traditions but also have a scientific mind and temper. You are one of the best examples of modern and patriotic Indian intellectuals who promotes nation building and guides us especially youths regardless of religion/caste/creed/innumerable divsions which Indian politicians used to rule and fool Indians.

I salute you and urge you to continue your writings because for Indiai to be a leading world power we have to take best from all parts of India and at same time try to do away inequities of our system.


I understand from your blog that you have been surpised by vitriolic comments and poison by your so called secular frioends and well wishers. However i am sure most of your thousamds of followers including me support your basic philosophy and its hertening no one can dissuade you from your mission.

Jai Hind

Warm Regards

Ram
Singapore

PS These so called leaders and journalists did not leave alone great leaders like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose so youi are in august company!

Jigga said...

Among all d present politicians, I think Narendra Modi is d only 1 who can help to grow India more faster, make it corruption free and show d way to be the prosperous nation. So keep it up.

RAVI KIRAN said...

Sir , I agree with your view that Modi is a good administrator and one that is worthy of emulating on the administrative front . But Sir , this fact should not cloud our vision to the fact that he oversaw one of the most brutal and henious crimes that are comitted against fellow indians in the name of religion . I am Hindu and as much i appreciate his administration , I think he should be condemmed for his role in overseeing the carnage. My heart still bleeds for children ,women and my brother Muslims who have suffered during the riots. The fact of the matter is that we cannot judge a person in totality ,depending on some good and bad actions he has comitted and that is one of the complexities in life . I have great respect for you Raman Sir, but sir , hiding Modi under the guise that "his is innocent unless proven guilty " ( i felt that was the underlying theme of your commentry ) is kidding ourselves into false sense of comfort, Lets face it Sir , He is a good administrator as much as a religious Hegomonist .we have to face the irony of that reality

RAVI KIRAN said...

Sir , I agree with your view that Modi is a good administrator and one that is worthy of emulating on the administrative front . But Sir , this fact should not cloud our vision to the fact that he oversaw one of the most brutal and henious crimes that are comitted against fellow indians in the name of religion . I am Hindu and as much i appreciate his administration , I think he should be condemmed for his role in overseeing the carnage. My heart still bleeds for children ,women and my brother Muslims who have suffered during the riots. The fact of the matter is that we cannot judge a person in totality ,depending on some good and bad actions he has comitted and that is one of the complexities in life . I have great respect for you Raman Sir, but sir , hiding Modi under the guise that "his is innocent unless proven guilty " ( i felt that was the underlying theme of your commentry ) is kidding ourselves into false sense of comfort, Lets face it Sir , He is a good administrator as much as a religious Hegomonist .we have to face the irony of that reality

Snape said...

@RAVI KIRAN

You miss an important aspect and that is CULPABILITY. The phenomenon of violence and clashes between human beings has been there since time immemorial and will continue to be there till human race exists. Conflict is a part of human nature and existence because ABSOLUTE PEACE is impossible. Even the most developed of nations witness violence even in this time and age. EVERYBODY feels sorry for the loss of life during the train carnage and riots. But, sometimes, such violence is unavoidable because of the frailties of human beings. There are many many factors that drive human beings to commit violence. When done on a small scale, the State is usually effective in controlling such incidents. But when it turns mass-based or large scale, no government in this world can guarantee that NO LIFE will be lost. Last year, groups of stone pelters in Kashmir held the state machinery to ransom... they could not be brought under control for more than a month.. Many got killed in firing. I don't think any Indian is unaware of the history of communal violence in India. Many lives are lost, families destroyed. But when emotions and passions sway people to such an extent that they are ready to risk everything to go on a rampage, then there's little that the State can ensure NIL loss. It is UNREASONABLE to expect anything different int he case of Gujarat riots too. It was tragic but that's how riots are. People were provoked to such a great extent owing to the Godhra train carnage, that they did not care for the consequences of their actions, and went on a mass rampage. The fact that 350 Hindu (rioters) were killed is testimony to the fact that the govt. did what it could. Things were brought under control in 3 days. Riots and mass violence in India in other cases have gone on for weeks and months. Like I said, the question is of CULPABILITY of the state officials and the CM Modi. Just because he happened to be the CM when riots took place should not disqualify him for future public office. Did Omar Abdullah resign for last year's violence? Did his father resign when during his reign Kasmiri Pandits were driven out? What about Nandigram? What about Sikh riots? Unless there is proven GROSS NEGLIGENCE or COMPLICITY on the part CM, it is unfair to curse him merely because violence took place while he held. The Gujarat question could have been framed in another way had the media wished - how many more lives could have been lost had the police not acted the way it did? 350 Hindus were fired at and killed but many innocent Muslim lives were saved. The toll could have been much worse.

db said...

rest of the india in discussion that Namo is good or bad, but people of gujarat already gave the certificate. is people of gujarat different then rest of india? most of people talk what media shows them. we as a gujarati better know what was happend on ground. and no media cover actual fact. just because all media are paid by congress or some international source including pakistan. but our people are so smart that they don't care to think about it.
this was the natural crash between two community but in 1983 ruling party killed so many sikha people. why india still allow to rule them? because those were hindu killed so who care. in kasmire till time 70000 hindu got killed and same people ruling and enjoying.

in 2008 bomb blast more then 2000 people killed but all are hindu so media don't care.

never mind let rest of india keep suffer from the so called economical terrorist goverment who killing million of people every day

we as a gujarati support autor and Namo. rest of india interested or not it is upto them.

Anonymous said...

Don't credit Modi with Hindutva

Pandu said...

Sir, although this article is good,you are really giving the word Hindutva a bad name. Please do read about what Hindutva is,History of India before the mughals and british. Please Do not forget we are still that Bharat,being ruled by mughals and british for 1000 years should not confuse people, with our glorious civilisations,or we will end up like Egyptian, Babylonian and Roman Civilizations too. Hindutva is SATYAM, SHIVAM SUNDARAM. Truth( seeking Answers),Ethics And Asetheics. ITs a beautiful religion whose main purpose is for people to find the answers to the mystries of life,please do not tag it the way you have done in this article. I know this is going of the topic, but in present scenario, your each and every word against Sanatan Dharma( Hindutva) will be another brick in the wall