A day after Anna Hazare praised Gujarat and Bihar for its rural development, chief minister Narendra Modi has now written an open letter to the activist on his blog.
Thanking Hazare for "expressing kind words" for Gujarat's development and its CM, Modi cautioned the activist against "certain groups inimical to Gujarat" looking to malign Hazare.
Lauding Hazare for leading a nationwide campaign-fast against corruption, Modi said in the letter, "I and my state of Gujarat are indebted to you for the courage and conviction you showed in saying good words for me and my state. In this show of courage, you exhibited commitment to truth and a soldier-like conviction. And because of this, your opinion has been universally accepted."
Talking about certain anti-Gujarat group, Modi said, "Respected Annaji, you are a Gandhian and a Soldier. Yesterday, during election campaign in Kerala when I heard about your blessings to me and my state, I feared that you will be subjected to vilification. A certain group inimical to -Gujarat will not miss this opportunity to malign your love, sacrifice, penance and commitment to truth. They will try to tarnish your name because you spoke well of me and my state. As bad luck would have it, this has come true. Once again, these inimical forces have come to the fore... You will be aware that whosoever talks good of Gujarat, he or she will be subjected to the vilification campaign."
Cautioning Hazare further on such groups, Modi also cited past examples where people were subject to ostracisation and opposition for praising development of Gujarat. Modi cited examples of the likes of film star Amitabh Bachchan, senior Muslim parliamentarian P Abdulla Kutty and Maulana Ghulam Vastanavi, head of the Darul Uloom of Deoband.
"In the past, a senior Muslim parliamentarian from Canoor constituency hailing from the Communist Party P Abdulla Kutty was ostracised from the party following his praise of Gujarat's development.
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The superstar of this century, Shri Amitabh Bachchan when he promoted Gujarat Tourism, was also attacked by the same group of inimical forces. Also, a campaign was let loose to malign the leading Gandhian of Gujarat Gunavant Shah who is speaking for the development of Gujarat.
Maulana Ghulam Vastanavi of Gujarat who was elected as Head of the Darul Uloom of Deoband has also been subjected to vilification campaign when he praised the development of Gujarat," said Modi in his open letter to Hazare.
Meanwhile, Modi asserted that post Hazare's words on Gujarat and its CM, his responsibility has increased.
"Because of your statement, crores of youth would be having great expectations and therefore even a small mistake on my part will disappoint them. Therefore, I have to remain vigilant and seek your blessings for the same," Modi's open letter stated.