In a feeble attempt to avoid any kind of association with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the Samajwadi Party is insisting it has nothing to do with Shahid Siddiqui, who interviewed the BJP leader for his Urdu newspaper Nai Duniya. The SP’s desire to distance itself from Mr. Modi, on whose watch the 2002 pogrom against Muslims in Gujarat took place, is understandable, but not its effort to disown Mr. Siddiqui, who rejoined the party in January 2012. In appearing to castigate an editor for running an interview, the SP is betraying not just intolerance but a certain insecurity about its own support base. The Backward Classes and Muslims have long been the backbone of the SP vote bank in Uttar Pradesh. In the interview, Mr. Modi, who refused to apologise for the 2002 riots, said he should be “hanged in public” to serve as a lesson for others if his government had a role in the violence. The Gujarat CM’s remarks in the Urdu daily were targeted at a Muslim readership, and the SP may be worried by the political consequences of the interview. However, distancing itself from Mr. Siddiqui in this reflexive manner does the SP no credit. Muslim voters have stayed with the party despite the alignments it has forged in the past with saffron stalwarts like Kalyan Singh and Sakshi Maharaj. Mr. Modi of course would be a bridge too far, but one interview by Mr. Siddiqui in which the Gujarat Chief Minister does not exactly emerge in flying colours is hardly likely to alienate the SP’s canny support base.
The political immaturity of the SP, however, should not detract from Mr. Modi’s studied refusal to show remorse for the riots, and his deviousness in displaying an air of injured innocence. Leaving aside the question of his role in orchestrating the riots — the courts have yet to take a final call on this — it is very convenient for him to say “hang-me-if-I-am-guilty” when he has done scant little as Chief Minister to ensure speedy justice to the Muslim victims of the 2002 killings. Indeed, without the intervention of the Supreme Court, all of the major riot cases would have ended in acquittals. Clearly, Mr. Modi is attempting an image makeover. But words floating in the air without any organic link to actions can only have a limited, temporary impact. Nothing that he says is going to change his unacceptability as a prime ministerial candidate for the BJP’s allies in the National Democratic Alliance. Mr. Siddiqui’s political career has been a chequered one and is unlikely to suffer permanent damage as a result of this latest controversy. Mr. Modi, on the other hand, believes his star is in the ascendant. If only he knew that all the perfumed interviews of Arabia will not sweeten his political hand.
Keywords: Shahid Siddiqui, Samajwadi Party, Narendra Modi, Godhra train carnage, Godhra riots, Nai Duniya
It is an open secret that Modi willingly remained a silent spectator to the atrocities committed against the innocent Muslims post Godhra incident. No doubt, his provocative post-Godhra speeches instigated the most heinous and gruesome post Godhra pogrom. As the Chief Minister Modi should have gone out of the way to protect the Muslim community in Gujarat which was crying for protection but he turned his face the other way which gave a signal to the saffron hooligans to take law unto their hands and massacre the hapless Muslims irrespective of whether they were men, women or children. It is only the heartless crude who come forward to defend the 'Modern Nero' of his commissions and omissions. Even if the Muslims decide to forgive the remorseless Modi, the souls of the massacred and God Himself will never forgive the "Agent of Death"
People of India are generally well matured and act according to their conscience. They never go by the dictates of a single state like Gujarat. As such, Modi becoming the Prime Minister of our country is impossible as the very idea itself is really nauseating!
Well said by Mr. sukant, Shahid siddiqui was just performing his duty as a news editor. Now a days it is a tradition in indian politics that nobody can appreciate other political party's members. If one does it, one will be penalized. Its not a Democracy.
“hang-me-if-I-am-guilty” a quite impressive but highly power influenced
statement of a minister is not good enough to tribute the victims of
those tragic moments. Culprits are always culprits. Just performing some
well-pre planned political drama can never change the mindset of public.
Without showing any positive & active interest into one of the top tragics of country, efforts to be the prime minister of that country are
just worthless, it should be very well-understood by such actually good
politicians.
No newspaper other than the Urdu one has published the full text of the interview. Why not? Whereas the media has already given capital punishment to Modi why not to wait for all the judicial pronouncements? No matter what the "secular' media says it is the people of Gujarat and India who will decide the fate of all politicians.
How come few of the same "secularists" are so mild in rebuking Mulayam who wants to punish an editor for publishing an interview.
Riots occur in India frequently. It is in all states of India. To say that, Godhra riots occurred while Mr. Modi was Chief Minister and so he is responsible is utter nonsense. Nobody is talking about Sikh riots, Bombay riots, and Assam riots. Why only Godhra riots? Simply asserting that Mr. Modi is responsible for political reasons is against all evidence court found in these cases. It is mere posturing and nothing more. All it is going to do is divide country by religion and many other ways. Media need to take hard look at evidence Gujarat riots. Media should concentrate reasons riots occurs in all part of India and should suggest steps that government can take so riots does not occur for better social harmony.
Does Manmohan Singh Moral responsibility for tonnes of wheat being wasted. Does he take responsibility for CWG scam, for 2G Scam, for NAREGA Scam ? Or he is is immune to responsibility. Does Congress take responsibility for Ethnic Cleansing of Kashmir ? You Paid Media Persons only want Narendra Modi to take responsibility. At least you believe he is reponsible person. Others are so mean that they cannot even take responsibility, perhaps they never held any responsibility. Including you who does not take responsibilty for the Media gone Paid !
Shahid siddiqui has worked as a mediaperson and for this he should not
be punished.As far as narandra modi is concerned,it will be decided by
the court.At the same time narandra modi cannot deny his moral
responsibility.But now a days,nobody takes moral responsibility in
present politics.
The vitriolic,incendiary and provocative post-Godhra speeches of Mr. Narendra Modi which instigated the post-Godhra riots are deeply etched in the hearts of the survivors of the Gujarat pogrom. No amount of injured innocence or judicial acquittals can wash them off. History will judge him in very bad light however much BJP can call it "Modi Bashing".
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