This refers to the editorial, “PM's stern warning” (February 18). It seems the lessons for the Bharatiya Janata Party of the Delhi poll debacle are sinking in. After the resounding defeat and in the context of rising criticism that the Union Government has not been acting firmly against fringe elements of the amorphous Sangh parivar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi at last broke his silence on the communal strife in parts of the country, primarily directed against the minorities. Even US President Barack Obama had to caution India that the country's success depended on avoiding splintering along religious lines.
Mr Modi has vowed to protect the minorities and pledged firm action against perpetrators of violence, whether they are from the majority community or from the minority community. But, regardless of his statements, Mr Modi's critics see him as the face ofHindutva. The only way forward for him is to deter zealots through firm action.