Dear Editor,
Hats off to Maneka Gandhi, and thereby the BJP, for such an honest statement. And also thanks to her for acknowledging that they are not “sons of Mahatma Gandhi.”
Indeed, the apostle of peace could neither have participated in the barbaric Babri Masjid demolition nor maintained silence following the dastardly Gujarat pogrom. Also, the Mahatma would never have threatened or said nasty things about any religious group or rendered violent war cries against any ‘enemy’ nation.
However, there lies no element of surprise in such threatening remarks against a community, given the highly divisive, intolerant history of the outfit that believes in the parochial, imperialist, dirty policy of ‘Hindi-Hindu-Hindustan’.
What a classic example of that much shouted ‘nation first’. Perhaps Muslims are not part of the nation, or the nation is of Hindus only – especially the upper caste Hindi-speaking Hindus.
And of course the ‘give and take’ statement, made by a union minister and parliamentarian who has taken the solemn oath in the name of the constitution to serve the nation and the constituency without any favouritism, bias or prejudice. Indeed, no condemnation is enough for Maneka Gandhi for publicly expressing her intention of dividing the electorate on party as well as communal lines. Who would enlighten her (and the Who’s Who of her party) that be she an ordinary MP or a minister, she is constitutionally bound to represent and serve all, irrespective of the political affiliation or religion of the concerned electorate?
Sincerely,
Kajal Chatterjee,
Kolkata