Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has defended his role during the 2002 post-Godhra riots and described himself as a Hindu nationalist. However, his “puppy” analogy to express sadness about what happened during the riots triggered a political storm, prompting the BJP to immediately jump to the defence of its “most popular” leader.
“Up till now, we feel that we used our full strength to do the right thing,” Modi said in an interview to Reuters. He was responding to a query whether his Government should have responded differently (to the riots).
Asked whether he thinks he did the right thing in 2002, Modi replied: “Absolutely. However much brainpower the Supreme Being has given us, however much experience I’ve got, and whatever I had available in that situation, I used. And this is what the SIT had investigated.”
To another query whether he is a Hindu nationalist leader or pro-business Chief Minister, Modi replied: “I am a nationalist. I am a patriot. I am a born Hindu. Nothing is wrong with that. I am a Hindu nationalist, so yes you can say I am a Hindu nationalist because I’m a born Hindu.”
To a question if he regretted what happened in 2002, Modi replied: “The Supreme Court created a special investigative team (SIT) and top, very bright officers overlook the SIT. That report came. In that report, I was given a thoroughly clean chit. Another thing, any person, if we are driving a car, we are a driver, or someone else is driving a car and we’re sitting behind, even then if a puppy comes under the wheels, will it be painful or notIJ Of course it is. Whether I am a Chief Minister or not, I am a human being! If something bad happens anywhere, it is natural to be sad.”
His puppy analogy triggered a political storm with his opponents wasting no time in slamming him.
Samajwadi Party spokesman Kamal Farooqui took strong exception to this remark. “It is a very sad, very humiliating and very disturbing statement. What does he (Modi) think, that Muslims are worse than even puppiesIJ He does not have a heart for them. He should feel sorry. He should apologise,” Farooqui said.
CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat said: “The expression of regret just does not come to Modi. There is something wrong fundamentally with what he is saying.”
CPI leader D Raja described Modi’s comments as a “desperate attempt to deceive people and hoodwink the Indian masses.”
JD(U) MP Shivanand Tiwari slammed Modi and said “a psycho-analysis should be done on him.”
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid also took a dig at Modi for describing himself as a “Hindu nationalist,” saying it is an oxymoron. He also said the BJP strongman was gradually becoming his “own worst enemy.”
As rivals took turns to criticize him, Modi wrote on Twitter, “In our culture every form of life is valued & worshipped. My original interview is with Reuters. People are best judge.”
BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman also sought to defend Modi, saying his comments had been “misinterpreted” completely, resulting in a “controversy where it does not exist.”
Describing the controversy as “absolutely despicable”, she said: “I appeal to all to read the interview in full and not to speak out of context. It is risky”. On the “puppy” comment, she said Modi meant that anybody would feel sad even if an animal comes under a car.
Shiv Sena also came out in strong support of Modi saying it believes that the nation’s leadership should be in the hands of a Hindutva leader. “We welcome Modi’s stand. It was our strong belief from the time of Balasaheb Thackeray that the nation’s leadership should be in the hands of a Hindutva leader. Modi’s stand will benefit NDA,” party spokesperson Sanjay Raut said.
Former lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma also said Modi was PM material, but he would have to test his acceptance in non-Hindi speaking belts.
“Modi has PM material. He has popular support in Hindi-speaking belts. He has to test his position in non-Hindi speaking areas especially in the South,” Sangma told reporters in Shillong.