NGO files PIL on Modi's Sadbhavna fast

A city-based non-governmental organisation has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Gujarat High Court, seeking to know the expenses incurred on Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s 72-hour fast that concluded yesterday.

Vikalp Trust filed the PIL yesterday on the basis of media reports that estimated the expenses at Rs 60 crore.

The NGO has also demanded information regarding the procedure bound to be followed while organising such an event. The petitioner further contended that the Sadbhavana mission was a “personal affair” of Modi and not a public function.

The petitioner has sought information on the source of income: whether it came from the public treasury.

A High Court bench headed by the acting chief justice is likely to take up hearing for the PIL in a week's time.

Vikalp managing trustee Himanshu Banker, who filed the PIL through his lawyer K G Pandit, also wondered why government machinery and public fund be used if the fast was personal or a party/sponsored function.

Public relations and advertisement experts have estimated that pertinent full-page advertisements published in national dailies came to “at least Rs 5 crore” considering the DGIPR rates.

During the three days, apart from the rent of the Convention Hall, the event is reported to have spent a huge amount on loads of snacks, mineral water and other eatables for those who attended it. Also chartered flights were organised to ferry BJP leaders and party functionaries from other states.

Modi ended his fast yesterday evening amid a large number of political, entertainment and religious figures.