Modi - the weakest Prime Minister?

(Editorial in Hindu Voice, February 2016)

"I feel there was never a weaker Prime Minister’s Office as now," said Arun Shourie on 27th October 2015 at a book launch function in New Delhi. At that time, we all frowned at his statement, and dismissed it as one coming from a disgruntled person. But looking at the recent events, one tend to agree with what Shourie said.

In fact, today no one seem to care about Modi or the Central Government. Any one can say anything about Modi, and even abuse him, and still go scot free. Similarly, any State Govt. can act in any irresponsible manner, without fearing the intervention of the central government.

Take the case of Arvind Kejriwal. He said that the Prime Minister is “a coward and a psychopath”. Can some one, and a Chief Minister at that, make such a derogatory statement against the Prime Minister of the country. Still, there is no action against Kejriwal.

Recently, the Arvind Kejriwal Govt. appointed a commission of enquiry to probe alleged irregularities in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA). Delhi being a Union Territory short of full statehood, a commission of inquiry may be ordered only with the concurrence of the Centre, through the Lt. Governor. Thus the action of Kejriwal govt. was illegal.
Kejriwal has continuously been at war with the LG. Why can’t his govt. be dismissed for violation of the constitution?

Now take the case of Malda. About 2.5 lakh Muslims held a protest rally in Kaliachak on 3rd Jan. 2016. The rally turned violent and vandalized Kaliachak Police station, forcing the police personnel to run for their lives. Several BSF vehicles were torched. A NBSTC bus was also burnt. Over 30 people including police officers were injured. Shani Temple, Durga Temple and other Hindu temples were attacked at Baliadanga and around 25 houses and shops owned by Hindus were vandalized. 

While Malda was burning, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamta Banerjee, was enjoying a musical concert with the Pakistan singer Gulam Ali in Kolkata on 12th January 2016. There is not a single word of apology or concern from her for the atrocities of Muslims on Hindus or for the property lost. She had the guts to not allow a BJP delegation to visit Malda.
This is a fit case for using Article 356 of the Constitution - to dismiss the West Bengal Govt. and bring in Governor’s rule. Will Modi do it?

The Muslim rioters in Malda were demanding the ‘death’ of Kamlesh Tiwari, a Hindu Mahasabha leader. In fact, Tiwari’s remark was similar to that of Azam Khan who had said that all RSS Pracharaks are homosexuals. While Tiwari is in jail, Azam Khan is cosying up as a Cabinet Minister in UP. Had the UP govt. been dismissed for the Dadri incident, there would not have been any award wapsi and also BJP would not have lost Bihar elections.

The Malda violence has spread to the neighbouring Purnia (Bihar), where Muslims vandalized the Baisi police station and destroyed several vehicles parked.

In Bihar, a JD(U) legislator Sarfaraj Alam (son of RJD MP, Mohd. Taslimuddin), and his bodyguards misbehaved with a couple travelling on the Delhi-Guwahati Rajdhani Express on 17th Jan. According to sources, 578 murders have been reported in Bihar within two months of the Assembly elections. If this is not jungle raj, what it is? Why can’t the JDU-RJD govt. be taken to task for this poor law and order situation in Bihar?

In Tamil Nadu, a Conference on Abolishing Idol Worship is being organised by a Muslim Organisation, on 31st Jan. 2016. Banners and posters have been struck even on temple walls. How dare they do it, in a country which is 80 Hindu and idol-worshiping. The Muslim-loving Tamil Nadu Government does not seem to ban such a conference. Will it not lead to a communal situation, leading to law and order problem? Will the central govt. instruct the TN govt. to ban such a conference?

The lethargic attitude of the Modi government has even emboldened the Judiciary to unnecessarily interfere in matters concerning Hindu culture and spiritualism.

First, it was Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu. Jallikattu  is a bull-taming event practised in Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal celebrations. It is concerned with Tamil culture. These bulls are reared with love and special rituals are performed for them. Where is the question of torturing bulls?

Second, it is about women’s entry into Sabarimalai. A Muslim has gone to the court demanding entry of women into Sabarimalai temple. What is his locus standi? Will he demand entry of women into Masjid? And the Supreme Court has no compunction in entertaining such a petition from a Muslim, about matters concerning Hindu spiritualism.

The third is about the dress code in temples. The Madras High Court has stayed an order of the State Government to implement from January 1, a dress code for all temple goers. 

In the first case, the judiciary is not bothered about the sentiments of the people who have elected a government which is all for Jallikattu. In the second and the third, the court is unnecessarily interfering into Hindu spiritual practices. In all the three cases, the judiciary is questioning the age old customs of Hindus. What rights do they have, to do so? Why is the judiciary singling out only Hindu customs and traditions. Does it have the guts to questions the customs and traditions of other religions? Above all, Is this secularism?

As I said earlier, it all amounts to the lethargic attitude of the Modi govt., which seem to think that ‘development is the solution for all problems’. You are wrong, Mr. Modi. Development cannot stop Malda, Purnia, Muzaffarnagar. You talk to any Mullah or Moulvi, he will confirm that for Muslims, IDENTITY is more important than development. For Hindus, it is a question of self-esteem.

So Mr. Modi, be bold. Be on the offensive. Dismiss some of the state governments for violating the constitution, for failing to maintain law and order, etc.

To show that you are bold, the first and foremost thing you should do is to ask Sonia Gandhi to vacate her official bungalow, 10 Janpath, and allot her another bungalow befitting a MP. While Sonia’s home (10 Janpath) is spread over 15,181 square metre, your official residence (7 Race Course Road) sprawls over 14,101 square metre. Show me one country in the entire world, where an ordinary MP occupies a house larger than that of the PM of that country! It can happen only in India. This situation should change.
Dismiss Sonia from 10J and show your
boldness in administering the nation.