The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Modispeak

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Friday, Dec 07, 2007
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Modispeak

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s justification of fake encounter killings during an election rally reminds us of the various dictators who have walked on this planet. Sohrabuddin (the subject of his apparent reference) was not a “terrorist.” Nor did he pose a danger to the people around him. He was taken away from a bus and executed elsewhere. Why is Mr. Modi not talking about the killing of Sohrabuddin’s wife, Kausarbi, and his friend who were eyewitnesses to the “encounter?”

Sachin Kurmi,

Ghaziabad

* * *

Mr. Modi has scalded himself by reportedly justifying fake encounters in an apparent reference to Sohrabuddin. He has diminished the chances of his victory.

K. Hari Krishnan,

Tuticorin

* * *

Mr. Modi’s justification of fake encounters testifies to the religious frenzy displayed by him in furtherance of his political objectives and the extreme callousness shown by the ruling establishment.

By justifying illegal murder, lawlessness, and extrajudicial killings, he has violated the rule of law enshrined in the Constitution. Immediate action should be taken against Mr. Modi for inciting hatred and openly endorsing the law of the jungle.

T. Marx,

Karaikal

* * *

All peace-loving citizens should deplore Mr. Modi’s war cries. It is indeed an irony that while the Gujarat government is trying its best to prove before the Supreme Court that the Sohrabuddin encounter was nor State-sponsored, Mr. Modi is admitting his State’s complicity in the crime.

Fascists lie low and strike with all their venom when the time comes. It is time the peace loving people of the land of Mahatma Gandhi showed Mr. Modi where he belongs. India and Indians should not succumb to the hate politics that leaders like him propagate.

George Easaw,

Bangalore

* * *

That politicians like Mr. Modi continue to flaunt their anti-Muslim feelings while our Constitution is committed to secularism and democracy is ironical. While it is a dangerous trend, is it also not a failure of our system?

Richa Srishti,

New Delhi

* * *

The inability of civil society, intelligentsia and democratic practices like elections to neutralise the effects of venomous communal politics poses a serious challenge to not only minority rights but also to the credibility of two strong institutions — the judiciary and the legislature. Secularism should go beyond academic rhetoric and revive itself in the minds of millions who constitute the flesh and blood of the country.

Muneer Illath,

Hyderabad

* * *

Old habits die hard. Mr. Modi is back to the basics. He seems to place no value on human life and leaves no stone unturned to polarise the people of Gujarat on religious lines. Yet he claims to dwell in the hearts of five crore Gujaratis. His justification of Sohrabuddin’s encounter marks the return of communalism as a poll issue.

Md Ziyaullah Khan,

Pune

* * *

It is a shame on our democracy that Mr. Modi thumps his chest while justifying the Sohrabuddin encounter and neither the law enforcement agencies nor the courts do anything about it. It will be even more shameful and horrendous if he comes to power once again. His victory will have an awful impact on the victims of the Gujarat riots who have been isolated and have been living in pitiful conditions in stinking ghettos. If the recent bomb blasts are the work of Islamist terrorists, it is people like Mr. Modi who are responsible for producing them. If the government is serious about tackling terrorism, the Modis of India should also be brought to book.

Deepak Joshi,

Mumbai

* * *

Mr. Modi’s election rhetoric was obviously a response to Sonia Gandhi’s allegation that he was a “merchant of death.” In the heat of election campaigns, such utterances are common. They do not reflect any measured, studied opinions on any issue and should be ignored.

K.V. Rajasekhar,

Neyveli

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Modispeak