Gogoi accuses Modi of failing to strengthen social fabric

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has failed to bring together the sources of unity to strengthen the nation's social fabric at a time when divisive forces have reared their ugly heads and threaten to create tension in society.
"The Prime Minister's call for 'unity, peace and harmony' coinciding with the birth anniversary of former Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is not loud and clear in the backdrop of growing incidents of intolerance and hatred," Gogoi said in a statement here.
"Real respect and lasting tribute can be paid to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel only by sending out a message that intolerance will not be tolerated and the country's unity and integrity cannot be compromised at any cost," he said.

He further claimed that the Prime Minister appeared to be in a subdued mood, and that his tone and tenor did not seem to match with the prevailing volatile situation.
"Even when rising intolerance has prompted scores of writers, artistes and scientists to register their spontaneous protests, the Centre has labelled it as not real but a managed one," Gogoi said.
The Chief Minister pointed out that the need of the hour was to bind together the forces of unity and integrity and to contain the divisive forces with an iron hand.
"If the Prime Minister wants to pay real tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, who sacrificed their lives for the country's unity and integrity, he has to rise to the occasion by dealing firmly with the divisive forces and not indulge in mere rhetoric," Gogoi added.