Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's refusal to wear a Muslim skullcap offered to him by an Imam — even as he donned a range of headgear — during his much publicised three-day fast in Ahmedabad evoked a sharp riposte from the Congress. Party spokesperson Renuka Chowdary said: “Modiji logon ko topi pahnate hain, apne aap pahente nahin [Modi fools others; he doesn't get fooled himself].”
Even as the Congress' Gujarat State unit staged a counter-fast in the State capital, the party's national leadership appears not to be unduly concerned by Mr. Modi's “sadbhavana mission.” Instead, Ms. Chowdary said here on Monday that by arresting danseuse Mallika Sarabhai and others who had objected to Mr. Modi's fast, the latter's mask had slipped off and “his real face had emerged.” She also mocked him saying it was a good way to lose weight.
Earlier, Congress functionary in charge of Gujarat Mohan Prakash said the fast had led to cracks in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), pointing to Janata Dal (United) leader and NDA convener Sharad Yadav criticising Mr. Modi. He also added that the ‘sadbhavana' (harmony) within the BJP had been destroyed through Mr. Modi's game of one-upmanship. “His words have lost their credibility,” Mr. Prakash said, adding, “everyone knows there is no harmony and the people of Gujarat have understood the reality.”
The Congress leader also wanted to know why Mr. Modi was not responding to charges made in a Comptroller and Auditor-General's report of losses totalling Rs.26,000 crore. And if Mr. Modi had nothing to hide, Mr. Prakash asked, why did he want to get rid of his Lokayukta.
Keywords: Narendra Modi fast, Sadbhavna mission
Wearing a skull cap or not is the choice of the individual. Mr. Modi has rightly refused to be drawn into the controversy which many suppose is the handiwork of his political rivals to embrass Mr. Modi. Wearing skull cap or not does not make one more secular or communal. This episode is a non-issue and it is surprising to see that many people especially the secular fundamentalists and pseudo-liberals getting worked up on this non-issue.
There are many politicians from Muslim and Christian communities who refuse to sing Vande Mataram or even our national anthem just because it is against their "Religion", but nobody from secular brigade questions that. Yet many of this politicans are tagged as "Liberals", "Secular", etc.
Modi has done the right thing. The sadbhavana fast would carry no meaning if he had accepted the mulsim religious sigg of wearing a white skull cap. Had a Christian, a Sikh and other religion people would have followed suit, Mr. Modi swould have been more embarrassed. So his action is welcome.
Mr Modi has done the right thing by refusing to wear the skullcap. At the same time, he has accepted the shawl offered by his admirer which shows his secular character. Every individual has a right to follow the dictates prescribed in his/her faith or religion. In our country, unfortunately, communal disharmony and hatred have been preached by political parties for garnering votes. I feel that political parties have not only misguided but also discouraged individuals to follow the >advice or teachings of their respective religious leaders (like the Imam, Priests & Acharyas). Tolerance & regard for other religions while adhering to one's own faith/religion will only drive away dislike for other religious practices. I wish political parties refrain from interfering or poking their nose in such sensitive matter.
I dont understand why media is creating unnecessary furore around this.Come to kerala ..you will come across innumerable instances where muslim politicians will refuse to lit the lamp as they consider it as un-islamic.
I feel Mr. Modi has done the right thing. Every individual has the right to accept/ reject the things he/ she like/ dislike respectively whatever capacity he holds. Lets be comfortable in the skin in which he is. Congress which talks lengths now also have engaged in brutal calculated murder of Sikhs during the assassination of Ms. Indira under leadership of Senior Leaders. A Mere skull cap/ kripan/ or any scrap of that kind does not change the attitude. Unity in diversity need not be a lip service.
I do not understand the hype about Modi not accepting the skull cap offered to him. There are many Muslim politicians have refused to wear a tikka. The topi and iftar party secularism is the most shameful thing in this country.One can be secular without these tokenism
Does it not amount to admitting that the government at the center has been objecting to a strong Lokpal bill because it has something to hide?
I am not a great fan of the Congress regime. However, Narendra Modi's attitude of minority appeasement and then contradicting his own attitude by refusing the skullcap due to some perception about Advani-Jinnah episode clearly shows that all this is just hypocritic make believe. One would have thought that the Maulawi offering his skull cap and the Advani - Jinnah episode to be two different things because the Maulawi was an Indian citizen and Jinnah was a Pakistani citizen. There is a taboo with the latter which can be understood. But what about your own country man offering one of his most revered sign of being a Muslim. Its almost like rejecting a hypothetical "Kirpan" offered by a Sikh to Mr Modi, just because of a history with Mr Bhindranwale .
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