Readers' Forum
“So they say”
"So they say”
Homi K. Bhabha, Anne F. Rothenberg Professor of the Humanities and director of the Mahindra Humanities Center, Harvard University ("So they Say,” Parsiana, April 21, 2014) has penned derogatory views on Modi: "His (then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi) record is severely damaged in the respect of minorities and I think democracy requires, particularly in the presence of the President or the Prime Minister, that there is equitable respect for all, and acknowledgment of dignity.”
Vada Dastur Khurshed Dastoor of Udvada personally invited Modi to come talk to the Parsis after the renovation of the Iranshah. This was immediately accepted and it was a worthwhile speech. Modi’s praise and affection for Parsis was there for all to see. That the high priest had to face flak from the anti-Modi pseudo elitist camp is another matter.
Well we live in a democracy and each one of us has an opinion that we wish to flaunt. But what hurts most is the fact that none of the Modi-bashers have had the guts to name the minority community that they say is being targeted. Who are they? Why are we all clubbed under the minority term? I belong to the minority group of Parsis along with my Christian, Sikh, Jain friends, and we have never felt an iota of discrimination, insecurity or fear ever! Have the guts to name the community you are talking about. As member of a minority I am safest in Gujarat, which is probably safer than any other state in India. I wonder why one man is being targeted not only in India but in the western world as well, going by the statements that are coming forth! Is it because they are scared? Is it because if Modi fulfills just 40% of what he is wanting to do for India, he will make it a nation to reckon with, putting it on the global map of development and economic prosperity?
Once again I reaffirm, if the Tatas, Godrejs, Shapurji Pallonji, all global players have opted for Gujarat under Modi, surely they would have a reason for this bias as against the other states of our country? Sometimes one feels there is a systematic attack on the policies of Gujarat so that India can never ever be a global power. This is reason enough to give Modi a chance to prove his vision, as the other party has never done anything since India got her Independence. At times one thinks people are scared of what Modi will do and is capable of doing.
RODA D. HAKIM
Baroda
vadhakim@yahoo.com
Homi K. Bhabha, Anne F. Rothenberg Professor of the Humanities and director of the Mahindra Humanities Center, Harvard University ("So they Say,” Parsiana, April 21, 2014) has penned derogatory views on Modi: "His (then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi) record is severely damaged in the respect of minorities and I think democracy requires, particularly in the presence of the President or the Prime Minister, that there is equitable respect for all, and acknowledgment of dignity.”
Vada Dastur Khurshed Dastoor of Udvada personally invited Modi to come talk to the Parsis after the renovation of the Iranshah. This was immediately accepted and it was a worthwhile speech. Modi’s praise and affection for Parsis was there for all to see. That the high priest had to face flak from the anti-Modi pseudo elitist camp is another matter.
Well we live in a democracy and each one of us has an opinion that we wish to flaunt. But what hurts most is the fact that none of the Modi-bashers have had the guts to name the minority community that they say is being targeted. Who are they? Why are we all clubbed under the minority term? I belong to the minority group of Parsis along with my Christian, Sikh, Jain friends, and we have never felt an iota of discrimination, insecurity or fear ever! Have the guts to name the community you are talking about. As member of a minority I am safest in Gujarat, which is probably safer than any other state in India. I wonder why one man is being targeted not only in India but in the western world as well, going by the statements that are coming forth! Is it because they are scared? Is it because if Modi fulfills just 40% of what he is wanting to do for India, he will make it a nation to reckon with, putting it on the global map of development and economic prosperity?
Once again I reaffirm, if the Tatas, Godrejs, Shapurji Pallonji, all global players have opted for Gujarat under Modi, surely they would have a reason for this bias as against the other states of our country? Sometimes one feels there is a systematic attack on the policies of Gujarat so that India can never ever be a global power. This is reason enough to give Modi a chance to prove his vision, as the other party has never done anything since India got her Independence. At times one thinks people are scared of what Modi will do and is capable of doing.
RODA D. HAKIM
Baroda
vadhakim@yahoo.com
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