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Let India Judge Modi
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No thanks, we don't need German help on Modi Narendra Modi, Gujarat and 2002 riots provoke a myriad reactions the world over and at home. No wonder a delegation of German MPs that visited Ahmedabad on April 7 and 8 ended up stirring a hornets' nest when they chose to speak about Modi. It's perfectly okay in a democracy to loathe Modi for what happened in Gujarat in 2002 during his reign. He can be also prosecuted for all the wrongs he committed. He can be voted out of power by the very people who elected him.
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But even though the English press is much maligned and abused by Modi as pseudo-secular and he misses no opportunity to bring it to heel, the German criticism has not gone down well with many individuals and civil society. The strong feeling is that there is no need for outsiders to reprimand any state or the country. India can cope with this issue on its own. So, Frau Ute Granold, the senior German parliamentarian who was heading the delegation, much as we would love to welcome you again and again and host you for dinner, your observations on Gujarat have not gone down well. As a developing nation we are keen on building a lasting bond with Germany and encouraging a bigger economic and cultural tie-up. We also admire Chancellor Angela Merkel and her leadership qualities that the entire European Union looks up to. But it certainly doesn't go well with our Indian sensibilities to see a delegation of German MPs and the foreign policy advisor to the chairman of the ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Party and director of the German human rights organisation MISSIO coming on a two-day visit of Gujarat to study the human rights situation and impact on the society after the 2002 communal riots. It's been eight years since the event. The Supreme Court of India is conducting trials and supervising the cases against Modi.Modi has been reinstalled twice as the chief minister of Gujarat by thumping victories in two fair elections. In this context it's difficult to understand the need for such a powerful official delegation to pass a judgment on the state and reiterate that Modi continues to be persona non-grata in the European Union and they want trials against him to be completed soon. If the report they wanted to prepare was for internal consumption of the German government or political parties, probably the delegation should have met parties with opposing views for a more mature perspective and avoided a public statement. After all, Modi is not an incidental chief minister but voted to power by millions, not once but twice. The whole idea of denying a US visa to Modi has also been rendered pointless by the fact that he has become more popular in the US than any other Gujarati chief minister! The Gujaratis and Indians in the US are coming in hordes to meet him! Even non-hardliner Gujaratis, who don't sympathise with Modi, clearly feel that the executive head of their state has beenslighted. The standard sentiment doing the rounds in Gujarati drawing rooms for the past few years sees the denial of a US visa to Modi as a little more than targeting an individual for his crimes. "Have they stopped the Chinese, who did the Tiananmen Square crackdown, from coming to the US? Pakistan's role in global terrorism is known. Is a single Pak military officer or politician denied a visa to the US? If Modi is not a bigger criminal than either of the two, why is he denied a visa?" The denial of a visa makes the issue transcend individual chastisement and become a collective insult for a state, for a people. This piece is not to defend Modi or oppose global initiatives on human rights, as many would love to interpret it. Such initiatives are welcome and have been a great deterrent in preventing a recurrence of events like '2002' that would be regrettable for the collective conscience of the nation. The media has been unequivocal in criticising him for 2002 and his heavy-handedness towards his critics. Sometimes it does this even at great personal and professional risks, which will remain untold to the nation. But there is a need to draw a line between fighting your own battles and seeking external support for the same. Earlier this week the nation was equally shocked when a US court issued a notice for union commerce minister Kamal Nath during his US visit for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi. It left a big question-mark on why after a quarter of a century, a US court had to summon Nath.
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More posts by Shyam Parekh:
What Modi did or didn't do is up to the people of Gujarat and the courts to judge. That is true! Who are these foreigners to judge us? But who gave the permission to German delegation? Our govt, right? Then who is to blame? Us or them? We give them permission & then cry foul!
By the way, why cry for a US visa? Every step we don't like the West & America & what they represent is always dark for us. But if we get a chance to go to the US, we don't want to miss it. What hypocrites we are! It seems to me as though if we don't get a US visa stamped on our passport, it will bring a black mark on our profile!
US is the country of Americans. Let them decide whom they would like to give entry to. Let us & our govt decide about our country, who enters here! And maybe a lot of those terrorists who entered our land openly could have been kept at bay!
By Devang Patel Sep 1, 2010 Leaders who influence thousands of people... what they do and why they do it, what is their motive, is beyond the reach of an ordinary citizen. And this is a person whose fame, or otherwise, reaches not only beyond the state, but beyond the borders of India. Believe me, this person can be stopped by only one person, and that is himself. I don't want to favour him here or be against him, but what I witness here is that, love him or hate him, nobody is capable enough to ignore him.
Narendra Modiji is great. I hope one day he will be the PM of India. Americans in Iraq have killed over 200,000 innocent civilians. Bush lied to the people and took America to war there, without evidence of any weapons of mass destruction. Did we bar George Bush from coming to India? Have we barred anyone from coming to India? The Germans killed millions of Jews in World War II, did we tell them to stay out of India? I can't believe the injustice that is being done to Modiji. What happened in Godhra was a riot, at most. The people of Gujarat reacted to the worst terrorist attack in the history of that state (the burning of priests on that train, which is never spoken of). Modi is the greatest leader in our country. My heart bleeds for him. All he wants to do is secure India, and fill every Indian with unflinching pride in his culture, state, country, and history. Only he can lead us to the top. Please, my brothers and sisters of the blood of Bharatmata... please support him. He is willing to give his neck for us. We must stand with him. The 'anti-national' Congress party is trying to destroy him at every turn.
By Rohitkumar Desai Apr 24, 2010 I respectfully wish to point out that some Indians (Sikhs) in the US petitioned the court against Kamal Nath, so the court had to issue notice to him. This is a nation of law, where one can see the law on statute book as well as in action. In some other places the law could only be seen on statute books, but not in action.
i don't believe the people commenting on this blog represent india. if they do, india is doomed. so much support for a mass murderer. wonder how they'd feel if he'd killed their families and close ones instead.
By Dr J L Jethwa Apr 15, 2010 Modi is the most capable chief minister of Gujarat. He has made it the most advanced state in India. Let US and Germany conduct a referendum amongst Indians on Modi in those two countries.
By Dr Shailesh G Apr 15, 2010 I don't think there should be any apprehension in showing full solidarity with Modiji even if Gujarat hadn't chosen him again. Why should we be apologetic for an atrocity in Godhra that is only a result of age-old fanatic ignorance that is creating horrendous divides in this country and unnecessarily coaxing anyone like Modiji to undergo such humiliation? Very rightly, it is the insult of Hindu India. Who has given the EU and the US the authority to look down upon us and think highly of themselves as if they had all the wisdom in the world and Indians should look up to them? No one should dare to exercise their own laws here in our land. It's unfortunate only because of the weakness and covert propaganda by the Congress govt. The adversaries have been allowed to be vocal against the most progressive state and the future of India.
The West, in misperception of being divine and enlightened, cannot tolerate an awakened Hindu race that can deal with crises with equal panache.
We cannot blame only Germans, for they get their inputs through our rogue English media. Probably the ruling government's embassy is also involved in this mud-slinging. I am only hoping for Shri Narendra Modi to lead this great nation of million years' heritage and culture. Then let's see which embassy doesn't want to invite him!
Good job, Shyam. The residents of former Nazi Germany have the audacity to poke their noses in our internal affairs. It's even sicker when certain NGOs add grist to their mills of rumour... The NGOs are trying to do a Goebbels, which may have pleased the Germans. SOUND ADVICE TO THE JERRIES: PLEASE DO NOT INTERFERE IN OUR MATTERS. Even if you do, we shall bombard your embassy with protest emails. Jai Hind.
So I guess this so-called blog is highly sensitive to the feelings of one community. I guess I do not have to point out which community that is. Even what is happening around cannot be written lest it hurt their feelings. When feelings are so sensitive, one can only say they are not feelings but ambitions and beliefs.
By N.A.Ananth Apr 14, 2010 Well written & well explained. I always wondered all the shouts against Narendrabhai were for whose digestion? I felt that because of strict conversion law they fumed by uttering absolutely rubbish. In fact, I will also like to add that Sikhs genocide in 1984 also deserved to be commented upon again & again till politicians of ruling party were also in the loop.
There is no scope or less scope for anyone to comment on the commendable work done by Mr. MODI for the state of GUJARAT. Political parties to a great extent have kept 2002 issue alive and will keep it thus for years to come. I request the people outside GUJARAT & our country to come to GUJARAT and see the change.
By Bhageria suresh Apr 14, 2010 These Americans & Europeans have always double standards in thought. The basic reason is Modi symbolises progress & nationalist attitude, which cannot be bought by anybody. They are afraid that if a person like Modi gets acceptability or praise for his work from the world, more & more he will become powerful locally & Christian media will not have any chance to perform their work of conversion easily in India (Gujarat).
Germans have no rights and nothing to oppose or say bad things about Modi. The German record of human rights is the worst in history. Remember the Holocaust in which they killed 10 million people? They are mad people. I am amused and angry at these mad nutjobs.
I just hope these ignorant people know what is political Islam and how cruel it is. I just ask them to answer these questions.
1. Why does every Muslim-majority country declare itself an Islamic country or Islam as the official religion?
2. Just ask yourself while Muslims ask for rights to proselytize in other countries, why do Islamic countries prohibit preaching of other religions in their countries? In fact, in most of these, a Muslim cannot convert to any other religion.
3. Why is it that the number of religious minorities in Islamic countries is dropping like a rock? Take, for example, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
4. How come only Muslims have problems integrating into host countries and cultures i.e. Europe?
5. Why is it that Muslims who deny freedom to other religions in their countries demand special laws for them in the form of sharia?
You try to find answers for these and you will understand what is political Islam and how it is more heinous than Nazism.
One more thing. A very nice article. We don't need outsiders to judge our system.
Everybody is after Modi for what he had done in 2002. But nobody remembers what was done by Haji Bilal (main victim of Godhra)? Secondly, are the Gujaratis fools? Why did they elect Modi a third time? Forget about the past... live in the present. He made life easy for every Gujarati. If there were leaders like Modi and Sheila Dixit in other states, India would have really shone.
Just continuing from my earlier comment, many people have been racially abused in Australia. Few of them even died. Why no social organization is queuing to stand up and talk with Australia? We have SIT appointed by the Supreme Court for Gujarat riots. Fine, but why no such committees were formed for the Akshardham shootout, karsevak deaths of Sabarmati Express, Mumbai and Gujarat blasts, Mumbai rail blasts, Bhopal gas tragedy, Sikh massacres of 1984, Kashmiri Pandits' plight? Wake up, Congress, before your party is kicked out of India.
Well Ganesh, I know you are not a Hindu and you are using a Hindu id, so coming back to the blog, Modi has done lots and lots for Gujarat, and yes, it is up to the judicial system to decide about Modi, and we should do something about the German delegation. They have no right to point fingers at others. The world knows what the Nazis did. We have all sorts of anti-Modi organizations. Where are those organizations when it comes to the Kashmiri Pandits' plight? Where are those organizations when Bhopal gas victims need them? Where are those organizations to support the Sikh people who were killed during sick-ular Congress regime? Why is Kamal Nath not put behind bars? The Congress is making fools of themselves by calling themselves sickular which they are not. They killed tons and tons of Sikhs, kept mum when Kashmiri Pandits were killed, did nothing for Bhopal Gas tragedy.
dear shyam, you did a good job, otherwise many of our indian brothers are still living in slavery. they don't think of the future of india. many indian minds are still not developed compare to the western world. otherwise the germans would not dare to comment.
By G P Sharma Apr 14, 2010 There was a Jaichand when Prithviraj was active for a right cause. In present days there is no shortage of Jaichands for any rightly acting person. Narendra Modi is not an exception.
By R.Santhanam Apr 14, 2010 If they choose to judge us, so shall we. The hedonistic West is endangering the whole life on this planet with its arrogant stance that they will pollute and continue to pollute and we cannot question them, but when we develop we should be very careful not to pollute! They develop hare-brained, irresponsible technologies and force it on the developing world, and of course we have to pay for it to make development sustainable for their MNC dinos. Our farmers are denied a level playing field due to the agricultural subsidies of the developed nations.
Absolutely, let Indians and Gujaratis in particular judge Modi and they have done in favour of him in 2008 elections. Moreover, how can any party ignore the fact that he is democratically elected CM and we have to respect people's verdict? While Modi was called by SIT and he promptly attended it and let them decide his fate, who are the Germans to do that?
I have the following questions for the Congress and other pseudo-secularists of this country:
1. For 1984 anti-Sikh riots, where more than 4,000 Sikhs were butchered, why was the country's PM, who is also for Delhi, not called by the SIT or any investigating agency?
2. In Bofors case, everyone knows Sonia's relationship with Quattrocchi. Then why did the CBI or SIT probing the scam not even once ask her to appear for investigation while the needle of suspicion pointed to her role in the scam?
By Miten Patel Apr 14, 2010 Why don't Germany look into Afghanistan/Iraq where they slaughter(ed) innocent people every day. These people simply think any person who brings any opposition against conversion law is against democracy, but same people fund organizations which run conversion activities under hood of democracy. Please stop this anti-Modi nonsense. As long as 100 crore people are behind Shri Modiji, no one can touch him.
'Dev' will have to fight Danavas continuously, perhaps this is God's design.
By Dharmesh C Dhami Apr 14, 2010 I agree on Respected Shri Narendra Modi. Why do we need help from another country? We must fight for such issues. We are with Shri Modiji. Best wishes and regards.
By Ashok Trivedi Apr 14, 2010 Narendra Modi is proven identity in socio-economic development of society and envious Congress does not have a single CM in their puppet basket to match NM calibre who delivers and administers for his state and people. See the situation in Northeast and UP, Bihar where Centre has no say. First handle the Naxals, prices, farmers' deaths and education, then look at Gujarat and learn from NM courage to administer the affairs of the nation.
By morkhandikar Apr 14, 2010 my dear countrymen, i am holding ministry of foreign affairs responsible for not intervening in the episode. the delegation came through ministry of foreign affairs on conditions laid down by constitution of india. these nazis have not bothered. of course they never since world war I. so awake; arise, and oppose till foreigners stop intervening in our internal matters.
The European delegation has essentially acted as per the sovereign interests of the EU not to allow Modi to enter their land for his genocidal activities. Shouldn't the author take his own advice and mind his own business rather than interfering with the internal affairs of Europeans? Every country has the right to decide for themselves without any external pressure as to who they can ban from entering their country. The Germans are simply exercising that right. Let them do it.
I'm ashamed of an Indian like "Jyoti Chatterji". Why should outsiders tell us what to do? "Jyoti Chatterji" has mentality of serving foreigners.
Let them (other people) do whatever they want to do and say. Modi (with all Gujarati people) is the SUN. So other people can't see directly in front of them. Don't be afraid with that type of people and just support Modi's good vision about Gujarat and India.
Mr. Modi's opposition is obviously trying to import some external support as they are failing internally. This will again play in favour of Modi in the public mind as the Indian public is much wiser than some of its pseudo leaders. The fact that they failed to make a dent on Mr. Modi, in desperation they are turning their guns on the people of Gujarat to create a rift. I don't think people will take to this kindly.
By dr.niloo vaishnav Apr 13, 2010 Why are people after Gujarat and Modi? I think everybody is afraid of our CM's height! I feel media should react strongly to the German MPs' comment. You have rightly justified the issue.
Just spamming people's email with self prophecy will not help Modi. He calls Sonia 'bitch' but when German fire hits his a--- he cries foul.
Let the media go and see how many civilians were killed by the US and UK in Iraq.... for what? All because of a personal battle between Bush and Saddam. Nobody is saying that Bush is a mass killer. Leave India and Modi alone, they have done great for the country and state. Let the German human rights delegation visit Bush. People, don't be puppets to media and other countries.
By Jeet Bhargava Apr 13, 2010 very balanced & right article, which sick-ulars can't digest.
By shrenik shah Apr 13, 2010 Extremely righteous and bold article. As bold, true and brave as Modi. Gujarat and its glory will be seen in coming years... and the state will hail its CM as father of the state. Because he gave his people a true picture of what they are! Congratulations, Modiji... your time has arrived.
i think in case of modi, USA, German delegation (as now German consulate has clarified that they share the same view with their delegation), and Indian media are acting above the law. Till date the Supreme Court has not convicted Modi, nor has any other court. Only these three entities are punishing Modi for the riots in Gujarat. I think they think they are superpowers and don't need to respect Indian courts.
Lohit Reddy
It's people like you that are dragging India backward, and keeping it from improving. Why are you bringing up Christian missionaries? They have nothing to do with this issue. You Hindutva thugs only know how to parrot lines. And calling Gandhi a war criminal? It just shows your mentality.
The real story behind the German delegation is that it was persuaded by the Christian Missionaries to criticise Modi. Modi and the RSS/VHP have made their conversion tasks extremely difficult and so they are frustrated. As to the so-called seculars, I recommend that secularism should be for all religions.
By Sanjay Sharma Apr 13, 2010 Now its time the world should understand it very clearly that once he is being elected 3rd time there should not be any questions left.
Punishment right belongs to the honourable courts in India. Unless a court has punished him why outside people are calling the honourable Chief Minister a culprit.
I am strongly against all the countries which cannot understand that Indian people have elected him again & court has not punished him yet.
We should oppose all those countries who are still commenting on this issue and refusing VISA to Mr Modi.
Ganesh must be talking about the old Delhi chief minister and the 1984 riots.
When this German (descendants of Nazis) delegation came and intervened in the internal affairs of India, the right response was to close ranks regardless of political affiliation. The Congress party targeting of Sikhs in the 1980s was far bigger and worse, yet that is rarely reported, reflecting the hatred that the global establishment has towards the BJP and Modi. They fear if Indians become proud and nationalistic they could challenge European dominance.
BTW, there have been riots of this scale in Gujarat for hundreds of years every 20-30 years. Nothing new, just another wonderful gift from the desert religion of peace.
All those who are asking what India did all these years should bear in mind that only India has the right to punish or exonerate Modi. There is no need to be a sycophant and bow before Germany to get justice. India is a far better country with an exemplary history compared to any other nation and I urge you all to have an iota of self-respect before being so servile. Those calling him a mass murderer better have proof and go submit it to the Supreme Court or SHUT UP!
congress party is the real mass murderer. culprit of holocaust of millions of hindus and sikhs. we should have banned this terrorist organisation long ago in 1947.
By lohit Reddy Apr 13, 2010 Well, Sudhir Reddy, on what basis are you concluding Modiji was a war criminal. Lakhs of Hindus were killed under Gandhi's vision and he prevented retaliation by his blackmail of fasting, so in terms of the sheer numbers no one in the world can match him.
Also, the Gandhi family oversaw the killing of our own Sikh people and later Rajiv Gandhi kept mum and gave support to the govt of J&K which oversaw the massacre of Hindus, so how can this guy escape the war criminal allegation?
With regarding to the these Christian missionaries from Germany, it is a clear instigation of war with the supporters of Modiji. If they are ready to receive then only should they dare to make such comments.
With respect to journalists, there can't be a more shameful people than them. These missionaries have spoken ill of a leader who has been chosen by 5.5 crore people three times. What more justification and credibility does a person need in this world? Instead of fiercely protecting the people's representative, these evangelist media have joined the missionaries in decreasing the tone of reaction.
let india judge modi? are you retarded? what has india done for the last 8 yrs? a big nothing. a mass murderer continues to be the chief minister of a state.
so please, mr shyam, don't ask india to judge modi.
it's only in india that criminals and mass murderers are allowed to go free and be chief ministers. the sad fact is that there is no justice in india. this could never happen, in modern times, in any civilized country.
the german delegation has every right to say Modi is not welcome in europe. they know what he's done, and it's not just some trivial crime. Modi is a mass murderer.
and shyam prakash, people like you who're so keen on jumping to modi's defence are the cause of this problem. if not for people like you, modi would be in jail, and india could claim to be a civilized country.
By Jyoti Chatterji Apr 12, 2010 In a democratic, open society such as in India, all nationalities of all nations have full rights to inspect, introspect, and freely comment on any misjudgement/misuse of power by elected individuals. Modi is no exception. We should be ashamed of individuals like Modi. The German delegation has only used its right to assess human rights abuse in Gujarat, and express freely, as they should, before they invest any of their taxpayers' resources in Gujarat.
Well said! If Modi is wrong, he should be punished by the Indian justice system. Not by media and foreign individuals without any concrete proof.
They should have been issued notice from Indian courts for defaming an Indian leader. That would have sent the right message to the world.
The same goes for Kamal Nath. The Indian govt should condemn the US actions without any hesitation.
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