On Narendra Modi and being a Hindu
Extracts from Shri B Raman’a article in the recent edition of Outlook (Dec 24 ’07), “The Secular Hypocrisy“:
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…The pathological dislike–even hatred–that some of our journalists–particularly in the electronic media–have for Modi could� be seen or sensed as one watched the TV coverage of the counting of votes on December 23, 2007. Initially, as it appeared that the BJP� might� not do well in the final tally, there was excitement among many of the TV anchors. They thought they had tasted� blood. After an hour, the BJP candidates started racing ahead and it became clear the the Congress (I) was in for a� drubbing.
The disappointment on the faces of some of the anchors was� to be seen to be believed. A five-star lady anchor could not help remarking: “Modi might be able to win the elections in Gujarat, but he still can’t get a visa to go to the US and other Western countries.” Some consolation!
Instead of spending their time searching for abusive expressions in the dictionary and in their copy-book of such expressions, if these self-styled secularists had only visited the web sites, discussion groups and� blogspots of members of the Hindu community not only in India, but also� in other countries of the world–particularly in the US– they would have noticed something, which might have given them cause for introspection.
They would have noticed that Modi is becoming the icon of a growing number of Hindus not only in India, but also in the Hindu diaspora spread across the world…
They would have noticed that in the Hindu diaspora in the West, more young people admire Modi than grown-ups…
…What is it they see in him?
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His simple and austere living of the kind associated with the late Kamaraj of Tamil Nadu, but not seen in the� leaders of today?
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His reputation as an incorruptible politician, the like of which is not found anywhere in India–not even in his own party?
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His style of development-oriented governance, which even his detractors on other grounds do not hesitate to praise?
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The fruits of his policy, which Gujarat and its people are already enjoying?
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His tough stance on terrorism?
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His lucid-thinking on matters concerning our national security?
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His defiance in the face of the greatest campaign of demonisation� mounted against him, the like of which only Indira Gandhi had faced from her political opponents and sections of the media in the 1970s?
…But there is one factor, which is more important than these and which has not found mention in the analyses.
That is,� for large sections of the Hindus–young and old, even more among the young than among the old– he gave them a sense of pride in their identity as Hindus.
They feel that he removed from their minds long habits of defensiveness as Hindus carefully nurtured by the self-styled secularists.
…For these self-styled secularists, a pretty Indian is a Hindu, who is all the time on the defensive, fights shy of proclaiming his Hindu personality and� asserting his rights as a member of the majority community.
…For them, secularism is a virtue which a Hindu should practise towards others, but not others towards him.
It is Modi’s rejection of this hypocrisy of the self-styled secularists, which makes him stand apart as a Hindu leader with a difference in the eyes of his admirers.
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The growing legion of Modi’s admirers in� the Hindu community all over the world are saying: “Hindu Enru Chollada, Talai Nimirndu Nillada.”
“Say You Are A Hindu, Hold Your Head High.”
They are no longer prepared to be defensive in proclaiming their Hindu idenity, in asserting their rights as Hindus.
They are secular in the genuine sense of the word, but for them secularism does not mean developing a guilt complex about being a Hindu and all the time conceding the rights of others. They do not accept the argument that a Hindu, who asserts his rights, ceases to be a secularist.
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Hey Shantanu
You should perhaps run a quiz asking your readers to guess who that five star lady anchor is!!!
One morw point! He is very popular as he is one of the few orators in BJP who can hold the audience spell bound.He is good at debates too.Reasson why many cahnnels don’t “encourage” him to participate.
Most of the anti-Modi block carries a pro-Congress mindset, which will find nothing wrong in a single family rule, will live at peace with caste and regional divisions, corruption etc. It will use a word like tolerance instead of cowardice, will come forward with phrases such as fascists for Modi supporters at any given opportunity. The truth is: the secularists in India are being questioned regarding their worth for the first time since Independence. They are a species under threat right now. Modi’s rise is exposing their hollowness. Their frantic rhetoric will only pave a way for their demise. The drawback of the resulting scenario will however be a weakened opposition to Hindutva. You have to have a break on every aspect in life somewhere, it applies even to the rise of Hindutva. No rational person would like the hooligans being at the helm. Modi has won Gujarat, since he showed it with his administartive prowess during the last five years, and not due to his allegged role in 2002 riots. Those abusing the Gujaratis for voting him back to power lack in comprehensive abilities.
Read my own balanced take on Narendra Modi and the recently held Gujarat polls below:
http://proaudience.com/2007/12/saffron-wins-back-gujarat/
Navavarsh Shubh Kamnaiye !
I wish you all a Very Happy, Peaceful & Prousperous (English) New Year 2008 !!
Bharat
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Three very interesting and informative articles by Arun Shourie:
1. Hindutva and radical Islam: Where the twain do meet
Arun Shourie Posted online: Friday, December 28, 2007
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/254969.html
2. What more is needed to stoke reaction?
Arun ShouriePosted online: Saturday, December 29, 2007
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/255484.html
3. The vital difference
Arun ShouriePosted online: Monday, December 31, 2007
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/255906.html
Dear Sir,
Well said. Shri. Modi won not because he propagated Hindutva, but stood by his words. He never opened his mouth about Hindutva until the “Secularists” did. He pointed out the hurt and insult of the Gujaratis and they hit back with vengeance.
It is now time for the true “Bharathiyas” to point out the hurt the 60 years of “Secularist” thought that has destroyed the Culture of “Bharath” and I am sure a fitting reply will be given to them.
Cultural destruction? Where? Let us ask the Juhu women molested in Mumbai!
Regards,
vck
English Media, particularly the Television, has now been wholly exposed.
THEY STAND NAKED BEFORE PUBLIC.
BJP TOOK LEAD OF 11% PLUS IN GUJARAT, WHICH IS LIKE A WHIRLWIND IN A TWO PARTY SYSTEM.
HOWEVER, NOT A SINGLE MEDIA PERSON COULD REPORT THAT. How is that possible, unless reporters were blind.
Arun Jaitley wrote as usual a candid piece in the IE where he put the media in the doc.
Most disghusting was Yogendra Yadav!
This pathetic creatur, in the name of adjustment, manipulated data which was picked up by his field staff.
I sometime think: SHOULD WE REALLY CALL INDIAN ENGLISH MEDIA AS A FREE-MEDIA?
These are filled with people who are more activist, partisan- less of a reporter.
Shantanu,
Here’s a link to the “On Faith” panel in Washington Post. A panelist’s (Ebrahim/Eboo Patel) writing about Modi being elected and the readers’ comments make interesting reading.
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/eboo_patel/2008/01/murder_on_the_subcontinent.html
Dear Sir,
Mr. Chatterjee has raised a very significant, but very important question. Is the Indian eglish media really free.
The answer must definetely be a big “NO”. If the holdings of the controliing shares are looked into may be the truth will come out.
If somebody is able to get that information I am sure the cat will be out of the bag and then the “REAL TRUTH” can be exposed and not a “TEHELKA TRUTH”.
Regards,
vck
Dear Sir,
I went thru the”BOO” site as suggested by Shri. Potter. Yes sir it was a lot of BOOL “S”. It is as usual very conveniently termed by our proffesional obfuscators as some bunkum as intefaith. Some interfaith! f the Hindu leader like Modi and the BJP led team wins it becomes a matter of discussion.
Why? because inspite of the bullying of the Christian Educated Elite in India the “Bharatiyas” are able to reinforce their beliefs and expose and prove the lies of these disguised evangelists.
Unless we have a strong “Bharat” under the true leadership of visionaries like Shri. Modi our culture now being attempted to be demonised and destroyed by the followers of two Barbaric and destructive “Religions” will be completely wiped out of the map and our future generations will only read them as History and nothing else.
Kindly note I have said ” Followers” and not blamed the founders, as they did it after they learnt about the greatness of this “Bharatiya” way of life and interpreted it according to their limited understanding in “one” case, but the followers now do it for power and pelf and nothing else.
My opinion on the link provided by Shri. Potter, it is not worth anybody’s time.
Regards,
vck
The West has several “interfaith” meetings. Basically the majority of them are feel-good affairs where the participants– Jewish, Christian, and Muslim (that”s it)– agree thet they are basically one religion. Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs etc..well, all these religions don’t really exist, you know.
I don’t go *near* anything that says “interfaith” (and for that matter, anything that says “south asian”–paki/islamic-apologist-fest; except for the SAAG site, which has articles from teh ex-RAW chief B Raman)
Yes with the return of N. Modi, Hindutva and pride of being Hindu has returned back in Gujarat. No matter what people, media, parties or five star activists says about N. Modi, Gujaratis are only following N. Modi because he is proud of being Hindu. Along with that they gets development. One could have seen this election by staying and being in Gujarat, the way Gujaratis got united against everyone who were foremost in maligning Gujaratis and Hindu leader N. Modi. Its was like a Slogan ” Hamse Jo takrayega Miti me mil Jayeanga”.
N. Modi helped Gujarat to come out from the clutches of anti-nationals and anti-hindus. I hope we get such leader or may be better than him in other states where Hindus can take pride of being Hindus and can follow development.
Long Live Gujarat and N. Modi!
Jai Hind
Have a look at this brilliant
“Countdown to Modi” Advice to TV channels: Don’t predict poll outcomes
by Shailaja Bajpai.
The secular hypocrazy is exposed once again. The media is losing its crdibility which is the vital basic oftheir industry.
Take the example of the Tehelka expose (cooked up) which came out with a bang and when it found a negative productivity they did put a lid abruptly and the media fraternity of their ilk followed suit. Just see the timing of an expose -after 5 years of an incidence, that too just before an election- and closing such a sensitive issue within 24hours-
The other point is that, Who are the real communalists? After the 2002 communal riots,for the past five years the Gujarat sate was totally peaceful,(while many other states were under communal tension and turmoil) and the wounds had been healing gradually. But the hypocrite meadia would not allow that happen because if the situation had gone peaceful they would have starved for sensational news items. Those saddists,vultures in human form reopens the issue every now and then as per their convenience. But they have forgotten a much worse pogrome which butchered the sikhs in thousands. And what is happening in Nandigram today-A state ruled by the so called guardians of secularism..
YES MEDIA IS EXPOSED AT LAST. NO MORE FOOLING THE PEOPLE
May be of interest.
Gujarat is the model for other states/regions to emulate, if they wish to prosper and live in a secure terror-free environment.
1. BJP Gujarat
http://www.bjpguj.org/
2. Narendra Modi
http://www.narendramodi.in/
3. Support Gujarat
http://www.supportgujarat.org/
Watch the Swearing in Ceremony and many more (on YouTube)
4. Jitega Gujarat
http://www.jitegagujarat.com/
“Since you have come into this world, leave some mark behind…otherwise what is the difference between you and the trees and the stones?” ~Swami Vivekananda
Bharat
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If you have not read it already, please have a look at this: “My murders are better than yours” by Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar (6 Jan 2008)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Columnists/My_murders_are_better_than_yours/articleshow/2677642.cms
*** EXCERPT ***
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According to data tabled in Parliament, the 2002 toll in Gujarat was 790 dead Muslims, 254 dead Hindus, and 223 people missing. Far more were killed in Delhi in 1984.
Many critics call Modi a fascist who carries out pogroms. They do not apply the same label to the Congress. Yet, the 1984 data are more suggestive of a pogrom than the 2002 data. The Hindu casualties in 2002 were a quarter of the total, suggesting two-way violence (even though Muslims suffered far more). But no Hindus died in Delhi, so it looks much more like a pogrom.
Around 190 people were killed in police firing in Gujarat, of whom slightly over half were Muslims. This confirms suspicions that the Gujarat police came down very harshly on Muslim rioters while treating Hindu mobs lightly. Yet, in 1984 there was no police firing at all on Hindu mobs. The Congress messengers of death co-opted the police more thoroughly than their imitators in Gujarat.
So, on virtually every parameter you can measure, 1984 was worse than 2002. Why then is Modi called a fascist while the Congress is heralded as a secular saviour? Sitaram Yechury of the CPM points out that the Congress ultimately apologised for the 1984 killings, but the BJP has still not done so for 2002.
That is indeed a difference. Modi needs to make a similar gesture. But have the two Communist parties apologised for the millions murdered by their comrades globally? Stalin killed 3 million kulaks in the Ukranian famine, not allowing food to go in or people to come out. Mao boasted of liquidating 3 million capitalist roaders. Our Marxists fulminate against American imperialism but will not apologise for their life-long support of murder and torture in the Red Empire. They object to murder only when committed by other parties. The people of Nandigram will tell you as much.
Many regional parties are tainted too. The DMK was hand-in-glove with the Tamil Tigers long after their murderous ways became public. Many Akali leaders were closely associated with the Sikh militants in Punjab in 1978-93, and allowed terrorist supremo Bhindranwale to occupy the Golden Temple.
Baba Ranjit Singh, who killed the Nirankari chief, was made head of the Akal Takht because of, not in spite of, that murder. When the courts ordered him jailed in 1997, the “secular” United Front government headed by Inder Gujral granted him an official pardon in the interest of communal peace! If peace can be legitimately bought by condoning a convicted murderer and making him Akal Takht chief, is the condoning of Modi by the Gujarati people so exceptional?
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Modi has been demonized since 2002. perhaps what happened in 2002 was not right because it gives the impression of lawlessness becauser govenering institutions were implicated by omisions.However is Modi responsible for it I think not there is gradual and tactinic shift in Hindi mindset. we are TIRED OFF BEING NICE, TOLERANT ACCOOMODATING VERY RESPECTFUL TO OTHERS WITHOUT BEING RECIPROCATED. see the article online indian extress by Arun Shourie. For muslims we are kafirs and derserve to be treated as subhumans. It perhaps cannot be genaralized but read what Zakir Naik and his acolytes say and it is those few vociferous who precipitate events and not ordinary masses.
The coverage was disgusting, when the initial leads were in favour of Congress, a reporter of NDTV sought views of a Congress leader Bharat Solanki whether he is in race for Chief Minister ship of Gujarat.
Pranoy Roy even decreed it was Sankar Singh Vagela
an old wily Jan sanghi according to him will deliver Gujarat to Congress and insider (Vaghela) who knew tricks of the trade . Later on he was not to be seen on panel perhaps dissappointed in Modi performance,
All psecs have a self-esteem problem. They make fun of their own religion and culture, but will accept anything that any white/yellow guy tells them. And *every* single muslim, even if he sympathizes with Aurangzeb and Osama, is too special, and should always be appeased.
Missionaries-mullahs-maoists call hinduism superstition? Of course, then, that the way to go. And RSS is a disgusting casteist organization. Even if RSS has removal of casteism as its platform, and they have always worked to remove casteism, no, they must be casteist, since the friendly neighbourhood missionary says so.
Hindus were far far ahead of the West in science, maths, architecture, medicine, language? No, must be nonsense, because the missionaries say that it is all nonsense. All achievements of anyone who calls himself a true Indian, be he Hindu, Muslim, or other, must be belittled. Agni, Tata Nano, Dr Reddy’s..all are useless. Whatever good is happening in India is due to “Sonia” “Gandhi”, whatever bad is happening is due to BJP, RSS, VHP…..
The whole of India should see this disgusting behaviour of psecs. Modi has managed to convey parts of this message through his actions. A true son of the soil.