ASSEMBLY elections in Gujarat to be held on December 11 and December 16, 2007 are very crucial since they would determine Bharat'sfuture destiny.
For the nationalists, Narendra Modi is a symbol of nationalism. If Narendra Modi wins these elections, it would amount to Bharat'svictory since it would strengthen the nationalists and diminish communal forces masquerading as secularists. The attacks on Hindu religion and Hindu heritage have become more strident in keeping with their agenda of demolishing Hinduism the way other native cultures and religions have been wiped off from the earth.
Nationalism versus communalism
Main contestants in these elections are the ruling BJP and Congress.
Congress has been generally following communal and divisive politics in the name of secularism. Unfortunately, the policies pursued by the Congress-led UPA government are generating pre-1947 conditions which had led to the creation of Pakistan. Only a few illustrations of such self-defeating policies are given here.
Congress government under Jawaharlal Nehru started ?Haj subsidy? for Muslims in 1959 though such subsidy is anti-secular and though none of the 57 Muslim countries pays any such subsidy. And the same Congress which had rejected ?Communal Award? in 1932 is now spearheading reservation for Muslims in government jobs; and is sharing power with Muslim League which had demanded and got Pakistan. UPA government supports reservation for Muslims though reservation on religious grounds is unconstitutional and though there can be no Muslim reservation after the creation of Pakistan as demanded by Muslims.
Besides, debunking nation'ssecurity, after regaining power in 2004, Congress government repealed Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act (POTA) the way it had repealed Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) in 1995. And as per the present Congress Prime Minister, Muslims have the first right over India'snational resources. But the most vexatious outcome of sectarian politics is the demographic and terrorist invasion of India.
In its bid to demolish and dismember India, Pak-Bangla combine is focussed on planting one more Islamic country on Indian soil for which it has dispatched countless terrorists and crores of its nationals into India. Despite the Supreme Court'sjudgements delivered on July 12, 2005 and December 5, 2006 to deport infiltrators, no infiltrators have been deported by the government so far. Rather, the government'spolicy of soft borders is inviting more infiltrators everyday.
Malicious propaganda
Though as the fourth estate, media is supposed to guard national interests, most of the Indian print and electronic media in India is an ally of anti-Hindu outfits; and has a similar anti-Hindu agenda. As Gujarat assembly elections are nearing, this media has raised its anti-Modi disinformation campaign.
During 1980s and 1990s, Pakistan-sponsored terrorists killed thousands of Hindus in Kashmir forcing several lakhs of terrorised Hindus to flee from Kashmir. Most of these ousted Kashmiri Hindus are living in pathetic conditions in refugee camps. For mainstream media, genocide and eviction of Hindus from Kashmir are no news. But communal riots of Gujarat in 2002 are always kept in the news.
What happened in Gujarat after 59 Hindu pilgrims in coach number S-6 of Sabarmati Express were burnt alive by a Muslim mob at Godhra on February 27, 2002 were communal riots, and not a state-sponsored genocide as wrongly propagated by some sections of print and electronic media.
On May 11, 2005, the Minister of State for Home Affairs informed the Rajya Sabha that 254 Hindus and 790 Muslims were killed in Gujarat in the post-Godhra riots of 2002.
Though each Indian'slife is sacrosanct, thousands of Hindus killed in Kashmir and Hindu passengers killed in Sabarmati Express do not matter for some sections of media.
A section of media has also been spreading the canard that the Chief Minister, Narendra Modi had given freedom to indulge in anti-Muslim violence for three days after Hindu rail passengers were killed in Sabarmati Express on February 27, 2002. But the facts prove that these allegations are false and malicious.
The undisputed fact is that the Gujarat government had acted with alacrity and requisitioned the army and had also issued ?shoot at sight? orders to police on February 28, 2007 itself. Besides, scores of Hindus had been killed in police firing on February 28 and March 1, 2007.
The fact that thousands of Hindus and Muslims had to take shelter in relief camps shows the extent of these communal riots. Looking to enormity of problem, Narendra Modi deserves credit for restoring normalcy with speed.
Note of caution
Though Narendra Modi has given good governance and crushed terrorism, he is being demonised by anti-Hindu media. Modi'sgovernment is people-friendly, and has done more regarding all-round development, water, power, employment, industrialisation, law and order, security and good governance for the state of Gujarat than any other state government has ever done in the country.
Besides, his government has contained terrorism, transforming Gujarat into one of the most secure states of India. Instead of commending Gujarat'smarch towards prosperity, development, peace and harmony, some sections of media are communalising the polity.
It is true that normally power can bring arrogance and self-righteousness. I hope Narendra Modi is free from these common human frailties. Nevertheless, he has to ensure that no section of nationalist forces feels ignored and alienated. Therefore, he has to try to win over even his detractors among the nationalist forces. Similarly, his detractors have also to realise that Modi'svictory will be their victory as well.
Of course, dynamics of electoral politics have also to be remembered. There is no scope for complacence, whatsoever, as swing of even one percentage of votes can affect the number of seats going to a political party. Therefore, all nationalist organisations and individuals must do their utmost to ensure the victory of nationalism over divisive forces in these elections.
Modi'svictory will signify Bharat'svictory. Modi'sloss will mean loss of nationalist forces.
Bharat'sdestiny
In a recent interview to a television news channel, while clarifying his approach to terrorism, Modi remarked, ?Main Gujarat ki dharti par maut ke saudagaron ko panapane nahin doonga? (I shall not allow merchants of death to thrive in the land of Gujarat). I wish that those in charge of India should also echo similar sentiments.
Gujarat elections to be held on December 11 and December 16 are very crucial as they would determine the future destiny of Bharat. For Bharat'svery survival as a nation; and for saving Bharat from subversion and dismemberment, it is imperative that nationalists are returned to power in Gujarat with a thumping majority.
(The author is a former Chief Commissioner of Income Tax. His e-mail address is: [email protected])
