Atal Bihari Vajpayee was discomfited by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s decision to make an official visit to Gujarat in the aftermath of the February 2002 anti-Muslim pogrom.
He asked the President: “Do you consider going to Gujarat at this time essential?”
Disclosing this in his book, Mr. Kalam says he faced many questions on his proposed visit, and there were suggestions at “the ministry and bureaucratic level” that “I should not venture into Gujarat at that point of time.”
After describing his visit, the former President writes: “The increasing intolerance for the views of others and increasing contempt for the way of life or religion of others, or the expression of these differences through lawless violence against people cannot be justified in any context”.
Keywords: 2002 Gujarat riots, Godhra train carnage, post-Godhra riots, Kalam visit, BJP, Vajpayee government
Yes I have respect for abdul kalam, he was right till today we humans
have failed to live a religious life without conflicts. kalam was
ready to make Sonia wasnt right choice Human beings have lived in this
state of conflict as long as human history is known. Everything they
touch turns into conflict, within and without. Either it’s a war
between people, or life as a human being is a battlefield within. We
all know this constant, everlasting battle, outwardly and inwardly.
Conflict does produce a certain result by the use of the will, but
conflict is never creative. That’s a dangerous word to use; we’ll go
into a little later. To live, to flower in goodness, there must be
peace, not economic peace, the peace between two wars, the peace of
politicians negotiating treaties, the peace which the church talks
about, or what the organized religions preach, but peace that one has
discovered for oneself. It is only in peace that we can flower, can
grow, can be, can function.
Atalji is the greatest leader ever born.His advice to kalaam was exactly right.He had to be dissuaded because situation in Gujrat was very critical and tour of kalaam could have outraged the mob.
this does not have anything to do with secularism. in the prevailing circumstances, the pm and the others were simply concerned about the safety of the president at that juncture. the title is highly misleading and shows the biased reporting that this author is now well known for.
Dear Mr.Yogesh Jain,
I appreciate your views. But I have my reservations with respect to
whom we should select the President of India. Neither APJ Abdul Kalam
nor Aamir Khan deserve to be the first person of India.
Abdul Kalam was president for 5 years, but did not do anything
fruitful to get the justice for Gujarat victims. Aamir Khan is from
cine field and it is his main bread & butter. He is doing great job in
Satyamev Jeyate, but that does not mean that he can be President.
We need someone bold and capable to be the President of India. In my
opinion, there was only one person who was bold enough for that
position. He was Mr.T.N.Seshan. Please make someone like TN.Seshan as
President who can go against the political parties to benefit the
citizens.
Just like Manmohan Singh even Vajpayee was a toothless tiger, a puppet.
Incapable person holding the seat. Gujarat issue was BJP's (Modi's) creation so was releasing of the three Dreaded terrorists, including Mr. Saeed. Courtsey of these guys, 26/11 happened.
If I have to elect any body as President then it has to be either Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam or Mr. Aamir Khan.
I thanks to The Hindu and Hats Off Dr. Kalam to bring this Astonishing Bitter Fact of both Community and to bring ths hate & Intolarence in between them. And more dangerious for the nation is that very violence will not get any lesson but bitter experienced to promote further voilence throughout the country with the help of extrimist group.
So much of bureaucracy - if a president has to face this level of scrutiny...how much can a citizen do??
Vidya can sleep peacefully tonight - her Modi bashing for the day is done.
A noble and secular man - that was he, the former President of India.
He really deserved to be in that place - and another chance would have
been appropriate ! Not being there for a second time, doesn't diminish
his aura, grace and charm. India is not a country of scavengers and
snake charmers as aliens described us. It has multitudes of precious
jewels - each adorning the crown of Mother India ! Three cheers to the
Republic !
Interesting comments by the ex President. Maybe he should clarify whether he wanted to go to Godhra to meet the families of the people who had been burnt alive by the mob or whether he wannted to go and meet the families of the people who had been killed by people who were retaliating against the burning.
By virtue of 97th Constitution Amendment Act, 2011 it shall be mandatory for the Governments to promulgate the circular that - Statutory Notice - be placed on the signboard with effect that cooperative society shall not discriminate any membership on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them. No member shall be subject to any disability on ground only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them, be subject to any disability, liability, restriction or condition with regard to ownership of the flats/shop/office. Long live unity and integrity of the Nation.
If the President of India was "advised" to stay away - wonder with what impunity the killing
fields of Gujarat would have been kept off-limits for mere citizens.
Shameful chapter. I wish the other officials would be forthcoming with how they were coerced intimidated to stay away or not take any action. A blight of our times - gujarat riots!
The title of the news is a bit illusive. It designed to serves the long standing media
narrative. Did he not finally go ?
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