B.RAMAN
I have been in receipt of more reactions by E-mail to my two articles on Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Gujarat. I am giving below edited versions of some of the E-mails received by me
E-Mail No 1:
“I was saddened, but not surprised, to read about the unwarranted negative response you received regarding your article on Narendra Modi. This is certainly not the first, nor will it be the last, time that an individual who has justly praised the chief minister of Gujarat has been vilified by much of the Indian intelligentsia. The disproportionate reactions to any and all praise of Shri Modi is indicative that those hostile to him, hate him not for what he is, but for what he represents. Whilst his detractors claim that Modi is a symbol of 'Hindu Fascism' or something similar, my own view is that this is disingenuous: there are many other individuals who represent political Hinduism (such as Bal Thackeray or Ashok Singhal) who have not received nearly as much calumny as Mr. Modi. The real reason, I suspect, is that Narendra Modi, more than anyone else, best represents Indian Nationalism - and it is this that his detractors cannot stand. Or to put it differently, in slandering Mr. Modi and attacking those who give him due credit, his detractors reveal their true feelings regarding our country. The anti-nationalist mentality of the pseudo-secularist Indian élite has been deftly analyzed by an American convert to Hinduism here:
The Crisis in the Psyche of India
http://bharatvani.org/books/civilization/partI6.htm
The Japanese have a term mokusatsu - "killing with silence" (Source: http://www.fingleton.net/?p=1143#more-1143 ). I am sure you are aware that this technique will now be used against you - and that loneliness is but a small price to pay for the freedom to speak one's mind.”
E-Mail No 2
“I read your article. I do not want to comment on the goodness of it, since whatever you wrote is out in public anyway. Those with eyes open and heart open to their motherland already read it and ignored these secularists. I am writing this to say KUDOS to you for saying "SO BE IT". I have been dying to hear these words from the celebrities like you. I fail to understand why likes of Amitabh and Hazare try explaining their comments. You have begun a NEW ERA and when you said those words the lady who danced in Your Heart and Mind was none other then "MAHAKALI" Herself.
You are blessed by Her to usher a new era to take on these Pseudo Journalists and Secularists. And I pray the movement will reach its pinnacle by 2014. Many after you will say the same.”
E-Mail No. 3
”I have always been a fan of your articles. Your article asking the youth to support Narendra Modi was the height of naïveté. Narendra Modi is a butcher who needs to be tried by an international court and jailed. You say he was not directly involved in the massacres and just dragged his feet. He didn't just drag his feet. He prevented the Indian Army from moving in to prevent the massacre that his goons indulged in. When the violence broke out George Fernandes tried to move the Army in to keep law and order. For three days Modi would not agree to let the Army in while his henchmen went from door to door with lists of people that they dragged out of their homes or shops and burned to death. This pattern of behavior did not start with Godhra. What about all the churches that were being burned in Gujrat when BJP was in power in the center and Modi was ruling the roost in Gujrat. What crimes did these Christians commit? Which train of sevaks did they burn? To overlook a man with a history of violence and hatred towards the minorities and turn him into a hero is ridiculous. Is it any wonder that he is persona non grata in most countries in the world. Crimes by omission or neglect are just as serious as crimes of commission. Humanity and morality are just as important as economic growth.”
E-mail No 4
“I admire your decision to stick with the blog . Greatest people in the history did not modify their views depending on which way wind is blowing, that is integrity and conviction. A handful of loud and noisy people cannot decide the fate of a nation. They have been exploiting the pathological urge among many Indians to look good and be in the good books of some loud mouths who will otherwise tear you down. As far as the readers are concerned probably you sir will have more readers than ever.”
E-Mail: No 5
“I have been a silent reader and admirer of all your analytical papers published on various topics ranging from politics, strategies, terrorism and international situations. I am 32 yr old business IT consultant and work with an MNC in Hyderabad. I am presently working from Amsterdam, NL . This is the first article (#4429) which I strongly feel is not going at all with your image and analytical skills that you possess after serving Govt of India for such a long time in various capacities. I am feeling dejected that you could have made statements through out your paper in the favor of one person who has been considered as almost next to Hitler by of course not by you but by so many Indians like me, who at least know a bit of internation history and contemporary Indian history and politics. Indian youth is not in favor of politician like Narendra Modi but would like to follow a clean and developmental political process. Tying the development plank with his image was the only option left with Mr. Modi which he grabbed and now the result is, people like you have changed the opinion about his ill administration. I have read most of your papers and remember it was article (#429) where you could have thought about the consequences of Mr Modi's admin ignorance leading to various terrorism scenarios within country. Again, my feeling is - had you not published your personal feelings favoring Mr Modi (a.k.a. 'Dev' Purush) it would have made more sense to follow your thoughts and suggestions (at least) to me. Your thoughts had earlier ignited my thinking towards building intellect driven country but I am sad, you may be loosing at least one Indian who may not favor your ideas now onwards. I am very apologetic if I have hurt your feelings, but I thought to share my thinking than sinking within. A Silent Admirer who will still follow your articles! “
E-Mail No 6
“Bravo!!! I am glad that you stood behind your article on Modi. That was indeed a brave act, and my respect for you has only risen. It’s time the rest of Indian citizens start applying critical thinking skills in finding a good leader who is beneficial to rest of India, than just blindly supporting someone who “appears” benign and naïve, or blindly aping what the self styled “secularists” in our country preach. I am sure that when the current younger generation becomes more active in politics, things would change. And until that happens, it’s important that people like you who have the experience and wisdom in geopolitical matters, help guide and shape the opinions of the younger generation through well meaning articles.”
E-Mail No 7
” I read your article with deep interest. Can you define a step by step process for the youth to follow against stop Modi campaign?
E-Mail No.8
“Its good people of your calibre & maturity are still there to acknowledge a common man(C.M) Llike Modiji.It all comes to either the pseudo secularists are all super brilliant,who pass all kinds of comments on Modiji,or most of the Gujaratis are rank brainless idiots voting in ever greater nos for Modiji repeatedly.
only one of of this could be correct. Shri Annaji is not a fool to comment on selectively shri Modiji & Shri Niteshji,India’s 2 best CM ever in 63yr history.
’In my opinion Sri Narendrabhai is a hindu (nothing wrong with that) he is not communal neither is he anti Muslim. His best friends from his original village are Muslims. thank God, Guj had Modi as c.m,who contained the riots & chaos. Gujarat has not even had a "curfew" in last 11yrs,let alone riots.
”Modiji is a great asset to India,a "desh bakht", a man of great vision for the country. In spite of all this media & tv channel abuses & one sided views & comments he has taken Guj in 10yrs what no C.M IN INDIA HAS DONE IN ANY STATE IN 60YRS. HIS MUSLIM CANDIDATES OF BJP ARE ALL WINNING LOCAL ELECTIONS.
”INDIA IS LOSING VERY VALUABLE TIME IN NOT MOVING FAST ENOUGH TO BRING HIM TO SOUTH BLOCK.. ITS INDIA’S LOSS..
”THIS MOVE BY SHRI ANNAJI IS GREAT WE NEED TO ELIMINATE OR SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE CORRUPTION,,WE NEED TO REVISIT OUR CONSTITUTION, WE NEED TO CERTAINLY HAVE SOME MAJOR ELECTORAL REFORMS.
”WHATS THE USE OF DEMOCRACY, IF IT ULTIMATELY MEANS BRIBING THE VOTER, OUR SO CALLED LEADERS ,M.Ps MLAs ARE SO DESPERATE TO BE IN POWER FOR WHAT. “
E-Mail No 9
“I enjoyed this article.But will anyone clarify whether the rulers who were ruling during the incidents like genocide against pandits, anti sikh riots, rowdism during Chennai Corporation elections, killing of Swami Lakshmanandha despite his appeal of threat to his life etc. did any better job than Modi in containing violence. Did they not allow the genocide go unnoticed and resulting in loss of lives of people belonging to these communities.? In denigrating Modi and Anna, I am of the firm belief that the role of almost our entire media cannot also be ruled out because of their loyalty to the self appointed secular parivar. I also suspect their role in circulating CDs against Bhushans.Even the BJP jokers do not raise these valid issues and put the Congress, the indigenous and imported Gandhis on the mat.
E-Mail No 10
“I used to be a fan for your analytical writing. I noticed that your
admiration of Mr. Modi, which led to the words of "Keep him
quarantined in the past". Actually, this particular citation has
inflicted me a lot. RSS or other Hindu elements, never let freed the new Muslim Generation in India from the past, they kept quarantined the entire community in the past, which many of the descendants are unaware of, and brought up in more different environments. Those so called, Hindu ideologists did it with out any guilty feeling. Now, you are supporting them, yes, they did it. Let them free from this, keep them away from quarantining
in the past. Why is it so indifferent? This is just unfair.Anna Hazare, has mentioned about Nithish as well, but you have comfortably chosen to mention Mr.Modi only. This shows your true color.When you are stripped of your real colors, we simply lose the credibility of your writings. My wonder is that, you were in the IB for several years in a higher hierarchy, and you had this kind of partial mentality. Now I realized that why there are no blasts, or bombs in India recently, because, all those IB (RSS) ideologists were retired now, and a new blood is there in the helm, that's why we don't see any such "incidents". If we look
back, these hindu-muslim hatred started way back in 1980s, now, those IB crew seems retired. Thank God.We want to live in peace, not with hatred. Please help us to live our life fully, and peacefully.”
E-MAIL NO. 11
“Modi is a change agent, whereas so called secularist are surviving on their so called secularism. These elements are still singing the song of “Garibi Hatao” which is decades old, given by the grand mother of amul baby. Given a choice, no power worth it's salt would like or invite a change, because it poses threat to their existence. These elements have perfect motivation, but their motive is ulterior; their determination is like iron man, but it is focused on only one agenda “remove Modi” and dis-integrate all the other parties, (like they did during Janta Raj), and they have covered their (vision) eyes like horses pulling the cart, since they can see what their master's voice want them to see, hence their vision is very limited. As a result, given a choice, these so-called secularists would like to maintain the status quo ; their preference would be continuing with the most popular slogan “Garibi Hatao” , keep talking about development but do not permit any evelopment without their kickbacks like Bofors to CommonWealth, and Adarsh to G2, let hazar Hazars come, come what may ! And they want all their voters to be Garibs , backwards, religiously backwards, mentally backwards, surviving at Rs.2/- per kilo Dal-Atta and Chaval, begging from their NGOs, looking at them for small small helps, and with such motivation, determination and vision, how can we expect them to permit Gujarat, Bihar, Chhatisgarh or any other States and by that way Gujaratis, Biharis, Rajasthanis, Upians, Bengolies, Chhatisgarihs, etc., etc., to progress ?”
E-Mail No 12
“ I read your article about Mr. Narendra Modi and I completely agree with your point of view. I am writing this mail to present to you my views. I think in today's age ideologies do not matter to the extent to what some people believe. The basic driving force of the world is economics. Even the communist states of West Bengal and Kerela are in continuous lookout for fresh investments. The monetary system has completely over swayed the ideological world. In future lives of people will not better because of following a particular ideology but by getting away from this myriad of ideologies. To any sensible mind it would be impossible to find any difference in actions of "secularist" Congress and "right-wing" BJP. Policies of both these parties are pro-rich and both provide similar lip-service to poor. Here I would like to say that it would be foolish not to path we took in 1991 as in any case, India as a country does not really have much of the option.But it would also be wrong to say that ideologies do not play any part at all. But their significance on the changes they can affect on common man's life is minuscule. All of us would be much better off if keep ideological considerations aside and judge parties and leaders based on their work on ground level.In the end I would like to say that I agree with you that hindutva ideology of Mr. Narendra Modi should be curtailed to a point where it is not harmful to others. At the same time good governance provided by him to the people of Gujarat should be hailed.”
E-mail No 13
“I could not stop myself reading your next article for which I have been waiting since last night. I can understand that you must have gone through strongest ever criticism due to only one person. Is not that sufficient to give you enough hint that it is not because of favorism of development policies but because of the person you favored, you have fetched the criticism ? I am admirer to Mr Nitish Kumar who knew how to balance his deeds by not only providing strong admin but also maintaining communal harmony and not asking Mr. Modi to campaign in Bihar. He is SECULAR despite of being non-congress party person (I am open to tell). So the truth is every Indian is somewhat secular in its own sense, else the time BJP government came in the power 15 yrs ago, they should have passed first legislation of declaring that India is now a Hindu nation and we don't care about secularism. I am sorry to say that somehow you also picked up the wrong path by criticising secularists who have been existing as non political entities even before our constitution was adopted and that has been according to me is the essence of Hinduism. Believe me, by blaming so called secularists you will get more and more criticism that you must stop. People respect your thoughts because of your knowledge, your upward thinking and balanced analysis except (#4429). I will continue reading your articles as I respect your knowledge and would like to be beneficiary of that. “
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
A GRACIOUS END
In my article titled "So Be It", I had referred to a senior journalist of a left of centre national daily calling me amazingly naive for my article on Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat. In reply to this, I have been in receipt of a very gracious E-mail message from him which I reproduce below along with my reply to him. I treat the matter now as graciously closed---B.Raman
E-Mail From the journalist to me:
"You are a valued and trusted and respected member of the Indian strategic community and if I was rather free and frank in my reply to your last posting -- in saying that you were 'amazingly naive' about Narendra Modi's government -- I certainly did not mean to cause hurt and offense. For that, I unreservedly apologise. Differences of opinion will always be there but there was no reason for me to hurt your feelings.
I have, of course, no intention of ending our friendship, limited though it is to cyberspace, nor of asking you to stop sending me your engaging, informative and sometimes provocative commentaries, which I will continue to read with great interest."
My E-mail reply to him:
"Thanks. I have already forgotten it. It is passee. Take care." Raman
17-4-11
E-Mail From the journalist to me:
"You are a valued and trusted and respected member of the Indian strategic community and if I was rather free and frank in my reply to your last posting -- in saying that you were 'amazingly naive' about Narendra Modi's government -- I certainly did not mean to cause hurt and offense. For that, I unreservedly apologise. Differences of opinion will always be there but there was no reason for me to hurt your feelings.
I have, of course, no intention of ending our friendship, limited though it is to cyberspace, nor of asking you to stop sending me your engaging, informative and sometimes provocative commentaries, which I will continue to read with great interest."
My E-mail reply to him:
"Thanks. I have already forgotten it. It is passee. Take care." Raman
17-4-11
AN APT TAMIL COUPLET
( I am grateful to a reader who has sent the following Tamil couplet)
"போற்றுவோர் போற்றட்டும் புழுதிவாரி தூற்றுவோர் தூற்றட்டும்
ஏற்றதொரு கருத்தை எனதுள்ளம் என்றால் எடுத்துரைப்பேன்; நில்லேன்; எவர் வரினும் அஞ்சேன்."
"Those who praise, let them praise; and those who abuse, let them abuse.
I'll say what my conscience says as right; I wont stop and I wont fear anyone."
"போற்றுவோர் போற்றட்டும் புழுதிவாரி தூற்றுவோர் தூற்றட்டும்
ஏற்றதொரு கருத்தை எனதுள்ளம் என்றால் எடுத்துரைப்பேன்; நில்லேன்; எவர் வரினும் அஞ்சேன்."
"Those who praise, let them praise; and those who abuse, let them abuse.
I'll say what my conscience says as right; I wont stop and I wont fear anyone."
CORRUPTION IN GUJARAT: REJOINDER TO MY ARTICLE
B.RAMAN
Among the E-mails received by me in response to my article on Shri Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat, three question my statement that Gujarat under Modi is corruption free and give alleged instances of corruption under Modi. Slightly edited versions of these E-mails are given below:
E-Mail No 1:
"I also want development model of Gujarat to be followed by other States especially in power sectors reforms he had made earlier. Now every household in Gujarat villages is getting electricity for 24 hours without any cut. It is his great achievement. Other States should follow him in this regard but do not know why they are not following him? .... There is a specific allegation against Mr. Modi that about 21 lakhs of farmers have not been paid compensation in lieu of their lands having been acquired. Is this allegation true? "
E-Mail No 2:
"Though myself I am a big admirer and follower of Honourable CM of Gujarat, the fact remains that the ground reality in Gujarat remains different. There is too much corruption at all levels. I am a 35-yr old entrepreneur and am successful in my business in Gujarat but still i am unable to get small works done in government because of too much corruption. Sometimes there is so much anguish that BJP in Gujarat does not care for its own businessmen but wants outside investors to invest. I have investments of almost 75 crores in Gujarat and am willing to invest another 50 crores but because of so much hassles I have stopped building new factories in Gujarat. I must have written over one hundred emails to almost all concerned but no one has ever replied.
E-Mail No.3
"No doubt we can see Development & progress in Gujarat under the able Leadership of CM (Common Man) Hon Chief Minister Shree Narendra Modi. He has implemented all projects announced by the Central Govt with financial help as compared to other state. But Who says Gujarat is corruption free state…???? To give you an example…If you are a farmer & buy an agriculture land you have to pay Rs.10000.00 per account to the Block Development officer (Mamlatdar in case of Gujarat) for getting the land transferred to your name from the old Farmer. You may go to any village and ask the farmer he will tell you that ..the Talati takes money even for a small entry like Loan/Adding name of the family member/Deleating Loan entry after the loan is repaid etc… The corruption in Land transfer is huge and is known to the ministers as well. This is just an example…Gujarat is prohibited state but all types of wines available through bootleggers who are working under protection of local police who take regular Hapta from these elements..State VAT Rates are higher compared to other States…Electricity is costly…Big Industrialists are growing at rapid speed as the Govt..offers them land at throwaway price…One of the example is TATA NANO Project..Acres of land given….Lot of rebate on taxation and very special favor done in repayment of Land Money…So to say I can give you many examples.. Govt Debt is increasing day by day..Govt. Machinery ( Like District Collectors offices/School Teachers and Students..etc.) is used for Party Campaign programs….Advertisement of self praising placed in all cities at whose cost…?? Mr. Modi is popular in Gujarat as poster Boy…Every Govt..Local Self Govt..Advertisement carries his photos in bold….I am a great admirer of Mr. Modi..Because he is a strong leader but I will worship him if he removes ( I know he only can do this) corruption from the state and the common man gets the benefits of the same…Let us not get in to what others say but let us strengthen Mr. Modi’s Hands help him remove corruptions from the state."
16-4-11
( 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 )
Among the E-mails received by me in response to my article on Shri Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of Gujarat, three question my statement that Gujarat under Modi is corruption free and give alleged instances of corruption under Modi. Slightly edited versions of these E-mails are given below:
E-Mail No 1:
"I also want development model of Gujarat to be followed by other States especially in power sectors reforms he had made earlier. Now every household in Gujarat villages is getting electricity for 24 hours without any cut. It is his great achievement. Other States should follow him in this regard but do not know why they are not following him? .... There is a specific allegation against Mr. Modi that about 21 lakhs of farmers have not been paid compensation in lieu of their lands having been acquired. Is this allegation true? "
E-Mail No 2:
"Though myself I am a big admirer and follower of Honourable CM of Gujarat, the fact remains that the ground reality in Gujarat remains different. There is too much corruption at all levels. I am a 35-yr old entrepreneur and am successful in my business in Gujarat but still i am unable to get small works done in government because of too much corruption. Sometimes there is so much anguish that BJP in Gujarat does not care for its own businessmen but wants outside investors to invest. I have investments of almost 75 crores in Gujarat and am willing to invest another 50 crores but because of so much hassles I have stopped building new factories in Gujarat. I must have written over one hundred emails to almost all concerned but no one has ever replied.
E-Mail No.3
"No doubt we can see Development & progress in Gujarat under the able Leadership of CM (Common Man) Hon Chief Minister Shree Narendra Modi. He has implemented all projects announced by the Central Govt with financial help as compared to other state. But Who says Gujarat is corruption free state…???? To give you an example…If you are a farmer & buy an agriculture land you have to pay Rs.10000.00 per account to the Block Development officer (Mamlatdar in case of Gujarat) for getting the land transferred to your name from the old Farmer. You may go to any village and ask the farmer he will tell you that ..the Talati takes money even for a small entry like Loan/Adding name of the family member/Deleating Loan entry after the loan is repaid etc… The corruption in Land transfer is huge and is known to the ministers as well. This is just an example…Gujarat is prohibited state but all types of wines available through bootleggers who are working under protection of local police who take regular Hapta from these elements..State VAT Rates are higher compared to other States…Electricity is costly…Big Industrialists are growing at rapid speed as the Govt..offers them land at throwaway price…One of the example is TATA NANO Project..Acres of land given….Lot of rebate on taxation and very special favor done in repayment of Land Money…So to say I can give you many examples.. Govt Debt is increasing day by day..Govt. Machinery ( Like District Collectors offices/School Teachers and Students..etc.) is used for Party Campaign programs….Advertisement of self praising placed in all cities at whose cost…?? Mr. Modi is popular in Gujarat as poster Boy…Every Govt..Local Self Govt..Advertisement carries his photos in bold….I am a great admirer of Mr. Modi..Because he is a strong leader but I will worship him if he removes ( I know he only can do this) corruption from the state and the common man gets the benefits of the same…Let us not get in to what others say but let us strengthen Mr. Modi’s Hands help him remove corruptions from the state."
16-4-11
( 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 )
Friday, April 15, 2011
SO BE IT
B.RAMAN
Through E-mails, Tweets and telephone calls, I have been in receipt of strong words of criticism regarding my article on Shri Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Gujarat, which was uploaded in my blog on April 15,2011, and which was simultaneously carried by rediff-com and the South Asia Analysis Group (SAAG).
2. Some of the criticisms have been very personal and hurting. One senior journalist, working for a left of centre daily, has called me amazingly naive. I have an impression ( I hope it is wrong and a figment of my imagination) that some people who were very close to my mind and heart and whose friendship I valued more than anything else in life have suddenly grown cold to me and have started marking a distance from me as if I have committed the mother of all sins by endorsing Modi's development model and by criticising some so-called secular elements who are trying to keep him quarantined in his past and prevent him from playing his due role in the present and in future. I have even been snubbed by some of them.
3.Some critics have been seriously worried by my call for the assertion of Youth Power in support of Narendra Modi. I have been accused of playing with fire and encouraging irrationality by writing such an article and by voicing such views.
4. Frankly, I have been surprised by the negative reactions against me expressed by some secular elements whose opposition to Modi is well-known. I have been writing about Modi off and on since 2003. I wrote in detail on the issue of the cancellation of the visa issued to him by the US. I wrote why he is so popular in the Hindu community. I also strongly criticised his ideas relating to counter-terrorism and wrote positively of the record of the Congress (I) in counter-terrorism.
5. I have been a strong critic of Modi the Hindutva ideologue and a strong supporter of Modi, the administrator.I have never hesitated to use very strong language to criticise his ideological demagogery. I have never hesitated to use very positive language to support his achievements in the field of development of Gujarat.
6. It has been my view that one must encourage his transformation from a demagogic ideologue to a benign politician and administrator and that he should be given an opportunity to play his role for the development of not only Gujarat, but also India as a whole.
7. It was this view which found strong expression in my latest article on him which appered on April 15. I have been taken aback by the kind of negative reactions it has evoked among some sections of the so-called secularists. I respect the views of my critics and have carefully thought over them the whole of last night when I did not and could not sleep.
8. I have come to the conclusion that there is no reason why I should have any second-thoughts on my wisdom in writing the article. I stand by whatever I wrote in that article.
9. If, as a result, I become the bete noire of some sections of the so-called secularists, so be it.
10.If I become persona non grata in the world of the Indian media, so be it.
11.If I lose some precious friendships, so be it.
12.If I lose readership of my future articles, so be it. ( 16-4-11)
( 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 )
Through E-mails, Tweets and telephone calls, I have been in receipt of strong words of criticism regarding my article on Shri Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Gujarat, which was uploaded in my blog on April 15,2011, and which was simultaneously carried by rediff-com and the South Asia Analysis Group (SAAG).
2. Some of the criticisms have been very personal and hurting. One senior journalist, working for a left of centre daily, has called me amazingly naive. I have an impression ( I hope it is wrong and a figment of my imagination) that some people who were very close to my mind and heart and whose friendship I valued more than anything else in life have suddenly grown cold to me and have started marking a distance from me as if I have committed the mother of all sins by endorsing Modi's development model and by criticising some so-called secular elements who are trying to keep him quarantined in his past and prevent him from playing his due role in the present and in future. I have even been snubbed by some of them.
3.Some critics have been seriously worried by my call for the assertion of Youth Power in support of Narendra Modi. I have been accused of playing with fire and encouraging irrationality by writing such an article and by voicing such views.
4. Frankly, I have been surprised by the negative reactions against me expressed by some secular elements whose opposition to Modi is well-known. I have been writing about Modi off and on since 2003. I wrote in detail on the issue of the cancellation of the visa issued to him by the US. I wrote why he is so popular in the Hindu community. I also strongly criticised his ideas relating to counter-terrorism and wrote positively of the record of the Congress (I) in counter-terrorism.
5. I have been a strong critic of Modi the Hindutva ideologue and a strong supporter of Modi, the administrator.I have never hesitated to use very strong language to criticise his ideological demagogery. I have never hesitated to use very positive language to support his achievements in the field of development of Gujarat.
6. It has been my view that one must encourage his transformation from a demagogic ideologue to a benign politician and administrator and that he should be given an opportunity to play his role for the development of not only Gujarat, but also India as a whole.
7. It was this view which found strong expression in my latest article on him which appered on April 15. I have been taken aback by the kind of negative reactions it has evoked among some sections of the so-called secularists. I respect the views of my critics and have carefully thought over them the whole of last night when I did not and could not sleep.
8. I have come to the conclusion that there is no reason why I should have any second-thoughts on my wisdom in writing the article. I stand by whatever I wrote in that article.
9. If, as a result, I become the bete noire of some sections of the so-called secularists, so be it.
10.If I become persona non grata in the world of the Indian media, so be it.
11.If I lose some precious friendships, so be it.
12.If I lose readership of my future articles, so be it. ( 16-4-11)
( 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 )
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 )
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 )
Thursday, April 14, 2011
INDIA-PAKISTAN: A NEW TEST FOR DIPLOMACY
B.RAMAN
In my article titled " India-Pakistan: Re-Discovering Each Other" written a few hours after the meeting between Prime Ministers Dr.Manmohan Singh and Mr.Yousef Raza Gilani of Pakistan at Mohali on March 30,2011, available at http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/%5Cpapers45%5Cpaper4402.html, I had written as follows: "The goodwill and the benign interest in each other generated by the World Cup cricket semi-final was taken advantage of by our Prime Minister to make the "re-engagement" and "re-connecting" process possible. He should readily accept the reported suggestion of Gilani for a friendly cricket match between the two teams in Pakistan in the near future and visit Pakistan to keep this process of strategic discovery of each other going forward. "
2.Our diplomacy with Pakistan has again entered a difficult and sensitive phase at a time when there were indicators that our Prime Minister was planning to move the re-engagement process further forward by agreeing to the suggestion of Mr.Gilani for resuming bilateral cricket ties with the Indian cricket team playing one or more matches in Pakistan. There are also indications that he might be favourably inclined to visiting Pakistan during one of these matches.
3. Unfortunately, simultaneously with this forward-pushing development, which I have no hesitation in endorsing and welcoming, has come the backward pulling news that Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a US citizen of Canadian origin, whose trial on a charge of complicity with David Coleman Headley implicated in the 26/11 terrorist strikes in Mumbai is due to start next month intends taking up the plea that whatever he did in connection with the 26/11 terrorist strikes was at the behest of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and not the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LET). His lawyers seems to be enouraging him to take up this plea in order to avoid conviction on a charge of aiding a foreign terrorist organisation so designated under the US laws and to project as a mitigrating circumstance his co-operating with the ISI with which the US itself has been co-operating in counter-terrorism. It remains to be seen whether their contention will be accepted by the court.
4.The proposed plea of Rana is serious from the point of view of Indo-Pakistan relations. If true, it would show the 26/11 terrorist strikes as a brainchild of the ISI and hence of the State of Pakistan. This would further show the 26/11 terrorist strikes as an indirect act of war by the State of Pakistan against the State and people of India. Can India sweep this development under the carpet and go ahead with the re-engagement process as if there has been no new negative development in the relations with Pakistan?
5. To do so would be unwise and confirm the suspicion that in his eagerness to push the re-engagement process forward, our Prime Minister is prepared to let bygones be bygones and close his eyes to the allegation regarding the involvement of the State of Pakistan.It will be an act of serious injustice to the memories of the over 160 persons---civilians and police officers---killed by the 26/11 strikes. It will further strengthen animosity against Pakistan in the Indian public. The Prime Minister will not be able to carry further forward his re-engagement initiative without support from at least sizable sections of the public.
6. Does this mean that the re-engagement process should be frozen in its tracks till the Government of Pakistan takes satisfactory action on the plea of Rana either by proving it false or by taking action against the ISI officers involved if his plea is correct? The verification of Rana's plea and taking the required follow-up action on it will be a long drawn-out process.The Government of Pakistan is not going to admit the involvement of the ISI. Rana's plea cannot be conclusively proved without independent evidence gathered by either the Indian or US agencies or by both acting in tandem. The possibility of this is remote.
7. That is the harsh ground reality facing Indian diplomacy and policy-makers. Freezing or calling off the re-engagement process will be an easy option, but that will take both India and Pakistan back into stewing in their past. No right-thinking person, who wants to look to a comfortable future without forgetting the lessons of the bitter past, will advocate it with a light heart. I personally feel it should be possible to keep moving forward on the re-engagement road while vigorously verifying the plea of Rana and pressing for co-operation and satisfaction by the State of Pakistan in this matter.
8. How to do so will be a difficult test for Indian diplomacy.It should be able to pass this test. We must give it a chance.
9. This may please be read in continuation of my article of December 23,2009, titled "Need To Focus More on Rana - International Terrorism Monitor---Paper No. 593" at http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers36/paper3561.html( 15-4-11)
( The writer is Additional Secretary (retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, New Delhi, and, presently, Director, Institute For Topical Studies, Chennai. E-mail: seventyone2@gmail.com )
In my article titled " India-Pakistan: Re-Discovering Each Other" written a few hours after the meeting between Prime Ministers Dr.Manmohan Singh and Mr.Yousef Raza Gilani of Pakistan at Mohali on March 30,2011, available at http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/%5Cpapers45%5Cpaper4402.html, I had written as follows: "The goodwill and the benign interest in each other generated by the World Cup cricket semi-final was taken advantage of by our Prime Minister to make the "re-engagement" and "re-connecting" process possible. He should readily accept the reported suggestion of Gilani for a friendly cricket match between the two teams in Pakistan in the near future and visit Pakistan to keep this process of strategic discovery of each other going forward. "
2.Our diplomacy with Pakistan has again entered a difficult and sensitive phase at a time when there were indicators that our Prime Minister was planning to move the re-engagement process further forward by agreeing to the suggestion of Mr.Gilani for resuming bilateral cricket ties with the Indian cricket team playing one or more matches in Pakistan. There are also indications that he might be favourably inclined to visiting Pakistan during one of these matches.
3. Unfortunately, simultaneously with this forward-pushing development, which I have no hesitation in endorsing and welcoming, has come the backward pulling news that Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a US citizen of Canadian origin, whose trial on a charge of complicity with David Coleman Headley implicated in the 26/11 terrorist strikes in Mumbai is due to start next month intends taking up the plea that whatever he did in connection with the 26/11 terrorist strikes was at the behest of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and not the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LET). His lawyers seems to be enouraging him to take up this plea in order to avoid conviction on a charge of aiding a foreign terrorist organisation so designated under the US laws and to project as a mitigrating circumstance his co-operating with the ISI with which the US itself has been co-operating in counter-terrorism. It remains to be seen whether their contention will be accepted by the court.
4.The proposed plea of Rana is serious from the point of view of Indo-Pakistan relations. If true, it would show the 26/11 terrorist strikes as a brainchild of the ISI and hence of the State of Pakistan. This would further show the 26/11 terrorist strikes as an indirect act of war by the State of Pakistan against the State and people of India. Can India sweep this development under the carpet and go ahead with the re-engagement process as if there has been no new negative development in the relations with Pakistan?
5. To do so would be unwise and confirm the suspicion that in his eagerness to push the re-engagement process forward, our Prime Minister is prepared to let bygones be bygones and close his eyes to the allegation regarding the involvement of the State of Pakistan.It will be an act of serious injustice to the memories of the over 160 persons---civilians and police officers---killed by the 26/11 strikes. It will further strengthen animosity against Pakistan in the Indian public. The Prime Minister will not be able to carry further forward his re-engagement initiative without support from at least sizable sections of the public.
6. Does this mean that the re-engagement process should be frozen in its tracks till the Government of Pakistan takes satisfactory action on the plea of Rana either by proving it false or by taking action against the ISI officers involved if his plea is correct? The verification of Rana's plea and taking the required follow-up action on it will be a long drawn-out process.The Government of Pakistan is not going to admit the involvement of the ISI. Rana's plea cannot be conclusively proved without independent evidence gathered by either the Indian or US agencies or by both acting in tandem. The possibility of this is remote.
7. That is the harsh ground reality facing Indian diplomacy and policy-makers. Freezing or calling off the re-engagement process will be an easy option, but that will take both India and Pakistan back into stewing in their past. No right-thinking person, who wants to look to a comfortable future without forgetting the lessons of the bitter past, will advocate it with a light heart. I personally feel it should be possible to keep moving forward on the re-engagement road while vigorously verifying the plea of Rana and pressing for co-operation and satisfaction by the State of Pakistan in this matter.
8. How to do so will be a difficult test for Indian diplomacy.It should be able to pass this test. We must give it a chance.
9. This may please be read in continuation of my article of December 23,2009, titled "Need To Focus More on Rana - International Terrorism Monitor---Paper No. 593" at http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers36/paper3561.html( 15-4-11)
( The writer is Additional Secretary (retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, New Delhi, and, presently, Director, Institute For Topical Studies, Chennai. E-mail: seventyone2@gmail.com )
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