Is Modi a Victim of Intolerance of Rival Parties?

Arun Jaitley, who holds the post of Finance Minister, says that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a victim of intolerance. Read the news here . Jaitley made this statement after many historians, scientists, artists and writers lambasted Modi's government for creating intolerant environment in the country. These people were joined by prominent figures like RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, Industrialist Narayan Murthy and others. The BJP probably got the sting finally and therefore it was forced to deflect the controversy towards its political rivals. But what is the truth? Is it BJP or the Congress and the Left that have been intolerant all these months? 

Until yesterday, as per the paper, RSS was saying the population of Christians and the Muslims must be checked. Prior to that those who share similar ideology with RSS and BJP have made statements that do not epitomise tolerance. One BJP Minister was heard saying 'haraamzada' (Bastards) -- illigitimate child -- to refer to certain group of people. Another one said that those who oppose BJP should go to Pakistan. Still another said that if Muslim must stay in India, they must give up beef; and on one occasion a BJP leader was reported to have said Nathuram Godse, the murderer of Gandhi, was a patriot. Another leader said that those who opposed Surya Namaskar (Sun Worship/Adoration) should drown in the sea. These are all about verbal intolerance. I never hear any such fiery words coming out from the mouth of  leaders belonging to the Congress or the Left parties. 

But the worse thing is that people like Kalburgi and Pandsare were murdered for being  religious critics. Aklaq was murdered after being accused of eating beef, when what he ate was mutton. Rasool was set on fire and died few days later due to injury over rumour of slaughtering cows. All these murderers share similar ideology with that of RSS and BJP. All these killings coming after fiery speeches  delivered by RSS/BJP leaders cannot be dismissed as coincidences. These are classical cases of intolerance by RSS and BJP. Modi is not a victim of intolerance of rival parties. At worst Modi is a victim of intolerance of his party members or rather a victim of his own apathy towards intolerance by his party members. 

Arun Jaitley is plain wrong to shift the blame to his political rivals for intolerance that fills the air today. His party has not sacked anyone nor taken any disciplinary action against anyone for delivering such speeches. Instead of blaming others, he should have gathered up moral audacity to say that his party has been wrong and now that it is mending ways. Unfortunately BJP has been refusing to show moral uprightness. When the political rivals accused it of corruption and asked the party to sack corrupt members, one BJP leader said something to the effect that removing corrupt people is not in their nature. This is moral bankruptcy. And demonstrating moral bankruptcy in public by such a large political party is to self-destruct.