PM's silence on Sarabhai's death slammed

Daughter blames it on politics and her campaign against the 2002 Gujarat communal riots

President Pranab Mukherjee issued a warm condolence message following the death of Mrinalini Sarabhai, one of India’s best known dancers. But, there was no word from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is otherwise active on the social media and elsewhere and normally quick to respond with condolence messages.

This, according to Mallika Sarabhai, social activist and daughter Mrinalini, could have something to do with politics. She criticised Modi for not paying tributes to her mother who died on Thursday. “My dear Prime Minister. You hate my politics and I hate yours, that has nothing to do with what Mrinalini Sarabhai did to promote the culture of this country to the world over 60 years. She blazed a trailer for our culture in the world,” she said.
 
“That her death sees no word from you shows your mentality. However much you hate me, as our Prime Minister it behoves you to recognise her contribution. You have not. Shame on you.”

As an activist, Mallika Sarabhai had repeatedly attacked the then Gujarat chief minister Modi for the 2002 communal riots in the state.

She had joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) briefly and recounted on several instances her experience of being falsely accused and hounded by the Modi government. At a lecture in 2013 in Jaipur, she had said, “I had to hide under a carpet in the boot of a vehicle and cross over to Udaipur in Rajasthan to escape arrest. From there, I had to wear disguises and move from one city to another for 18 days till I could apply for bail. As early as 2003, Mallika Sarabhai had been at the forefront of an appeal in the Supreme Court demanding compensation and justice for the victims of the Gujarat carnage of 2002.

Mrinalini Sarabhai was a Padma Bhushan awardee. She founded Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, an institute for imparting training in dance, drama, music and puppetry.

In his message, the President said Mrinalini Sarabhai “exemplified the fighting spirit of her mother and freedom fighter Ammu Swaminathan and her sister Lakshmi Sehgal, who was commander-in-chief of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army.

She was also of inspiration and support to her husband, Vikram Sarabhai, the father of the Indian Space programme. In recognition of her invaluable contribution to Indian classical dance and arts, Smt Sarabhai was honoured by the nation with several awards, including Padma Shri in 1965 and Padma Bhushan in 1992. Her death leaves a void in the world of creativity and performing arts which will be difficult to fill. Her tireless efforts to spread Indian classical dance around the world will be always remembered.”