Modi and Advani
Advani called BJP leaders to respect Indian culture, diversity and democracy.
Research Desk: Hill Quest April 07
LK Advani Senior BJP Leader of Bharatiya Janata Party has written a blog that is being seen as a indirect criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In the post he said, “the essence of Indian democracy is respect for diversity and freedom of expression”.
He said, “Right from its inception, the BJP has never regarded those who disagree with us politically as our ‘enemies’, but only as our adversaries. Similarly, in our conception of Indian nationalism, we have never regarded those who disagree with us politically as ‘anti-national’.”
Significantly, PM Narender Modi and his supporters have frequently painted BJP opponents as anti-national and often accused that they are working with Pakistan.
Advani was believed to be deeply upset at being marginalized in the election by BJP leaders whom he once strongly promoted. He was denied a ticket from where he has been elected to parliament six times.
The blog is trending as a direct attack on PM Modi and BJP President Amit Shah.
Modi had responded on Twitter as “Advani Ji perfectly sums up the true essence of BJP, most notably the guiding Mantra of ‘Nation First, Party Next, Self Last”.
Pertinently, Advani himself was a controversial political leader having travelled across India in 1990, whipping up support for a campaign to build a temple at Ayodhya. Notably, the Babri Massjid was demolished by pro Hindu mob two years later in 1992.
Special Comment: The silence of Advani that broke now was indicative of prevailing despotism and autocratic ruling in the country. The people in the country were believed to be living under fear and threat to life and the freedom of speech fundamental rights of citizens were strangulated. Many leaders of political parties including that of BJP, Like Advani and Shatrughan Sinha and many more, had directly and indirectly alleged that the constitution of the country was in danger.