Mahatma Gandhi did not hesitate to call off the non-cooperation movement when a few activists burnt 22 policemen in Chauri Chaura. He went on a fast repeatedly for the cause of the minorities. When India was celebrating its freedom, he was with the riot victims in Naukhali. By saying Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi — who did virtually nothing when the minorities were being systematically killed, justified the same as a reaction to the Godhra train burning, and remains unrepentant till today — is following Gandhiji, Rajnath Singh has killed the Mahatma a second time.
L.K. Advani wants his partymen to be proud of the Ayodhya movement. What is one to make of his earlier statement that the day of the Babri Masjid demolition was the saddest day of his life? If kar sevaks can be proud of demolishing a 450-year-old structure, the Taliban can also be proud of destroying the Bamiyan Buddha.
Baikadi Suryanarayana Rao , Bangalore
The media is obsessed with Narendra Modi. As an Officer Trainee with the IAS, I recently had the opportunity to interact with three stalwarts from the media during their visit to the Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy of Administration.
Their opinions converged on one issue — that Mr. Modi is a character created by the media: by portraying Mr. Modi’s vices, the media has created a top-of-the-mind recall for him, making him a hero. It is time the media stopped highlighting every tiny bit about him and started treating him like any other Chief Minister.
Amna S. Tasneem , Mussoorie
Those who criticise Mr. Modi should remember that he is the elected representative of Gujarat, which is in the forefront of progress. To mention an achievement, Gujarat is the only State that has a surplus of power generation whereas many other States face hours of power cut every day. Mr. Modi’s good governance is accepted and acclaimed by the people of Gujarat and globally. It is ridiculous to magnify his failures and undermine his achievements.
Bhanamma Aravinda Bai , Hyderabad
The Modi factor is gradually finding space in the minds and hearts of people. This is quite evident when you notice people discussing the 2014 general election. “Authoritarian” and “autocrat” are not the right words to describe a person who wants to replicate an established model of governance on a wider scale.
Aakash Sharma , Mohali
The young Rahul Gandhi has some dreams. They may be faulty and unrealisable. Nonetheless, he seems to want to try. He may fail; he may learn from his failure. The older Mr. Modi has several designer-made nightmares of his own, which he and the BJP are bent on perpetrating. They may succeed. But success seldom teaches. In such an eventuality, it may be sensible to encourage failure.
H. Pattabhirama Somayaji , Mangalore
