The Hindu : National : Gujarat is the benchmark, asserts Modi

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Gujarat is the benchmark, asserts Modi

T. Ramakrishnan

CHENNAI: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he did not want any certificate on secularism from any corner of the world.

“No one should preach secularism to us. Our history shows that secularism is in our blood, mythology, [and] philosophy,” said Mr.Modi said, participating in an interaction session of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conclave here.

He was answering a question from an overseas Indian whether he would show robustness and integrity in maintaining communal harmony.

The country’s history showed that it had “never attacked anyone anywhere at any time,” he pointed out. “We are committed to harmony. We are dedicated to our Constitution. No one should question us,” he said amid applause.

To another question regarding justice to victims of the Gujarat riots, Mr.Modi blamed vested interests, especially some non-governmental organisations, for stalling the proceedings and securing stay orders from the Supreme Court.

Asserting that Gujarat had become a model for others, he said: “Positive or negative, Gujarat is the benchmark.”

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