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Political pronouncements were rich in symbolism on Friday. The BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, devoted the day to commemorate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary while ignoring the death anniversary of Indira Gandhi and simultaneously condemning the anti-Sikh riots that followed her assassination on October 31, 1984.
No senior leader of the BJP visited Shakti Sthal, where Indira was cremated this day exactly three decades ago.
It was left to President Pranab Mukherjee, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Indira’s immediate family — her daughter-in-law and Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi — to offer prayers in memory of the slain leader.
At the same time, Modi joined a throng of BJP workers and government officials in the ‘Run for Unity’ organised to commemorate Patel’s birth anniversary which will henceforth be marked as ‘Nation Unity Day’.
His speech at the ‘Run for Unity’ function, was entirely devoted to remembering Sadar Patel. His only reference to Indira particularly underlined the anti-Sikh riots following her assassination by her Sikh bodyguards.
“On the birth anniversary of a great leader like Patel, a horrific event took place. Thousands of people were killed. This was not just a crime against a community. It was a dagger in the heart of a great country and ancient civilisation. It was most condemnable,” he said.
The Congress, whose Sonia once referred to Modi as a maut ka saudagar (merchant of death) for being at the helm of affairs in Gujarat in 2002 when over 2,000 people were killed in anti-Muslim riots, was caught on the wrong foot at the focus on the anti-Sikh riots, in which several Congress leaders were implicated.
No mentionSo, while making no mention of either the anti-Sikh riots in 1984 or the anti-Muslim riots in 2002, the Congress spokespersons targeted the ruling party for ignoring Indira.
“It is petty-minded, partisan and disrespectful to those who gave their lives to their country, particularly Indira Gandhi, who sacrificed her life for the unity of this country,” said Congress leader Anand Sharma, adding, “This shows what the PM Modi and the BJP stand for.”
Sharma said that it was ironic that the PM was flagging off a ‘Run for Unity’ and not even mentioning the “supreme sacrifice of one of the greatest leaders of our times.” Sardar Patel, Sharma was quick to point out, was a Congress leader who, as Home Minister, had banned the RSS, the ideological mother of the BJP.
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