'Snooping' issue around Modi gathers heat

BJP rubbishes Congress charges even as latter threatens black flag protests at Modi rallies

The controversy over the snooping order on a young woman issued some years earlier by Amit Shah, then minister of state for home affairs in Gujarat, now with senior party responsibilities, refuses to die.

It appears the order was issued on behalf of Narendra Modi, then and now the chief minister of Gujarat and presently the prime ministerial candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Hence, the Congress is demanding a probe by a judge; the BJP accuses the “Congress’ dirty tricks department” of being behind the leaked surveillance tapes to website Cobrapost.

The Congress said it was giving the Gujarat government one more day to respond, threatening to protest with black flags at all venues where Modi makes an appearance.

For a second day, the Congress let loose its arsenal on Modi, with women party leaders Rita Bahuguna Joshi and Shobha Oza saying Modi had no right to stay in office if the charge against him was correct. “What is being witnessed in Gujarat is a fascist arrangement. The chief minister can kill anybody and put anybody under surveillance,” said Joshi.

Revisiting the 2002 Gujarat riots, the Congress also accused the Modi government of organising fake encounters in the state.

Modi himself attempted to deflect the criticism being mounted against him while addressing a rally in Madhya Pradesh on Monday. “The women of this country offer me such a protective shield (suraksha kavach) that no threat or conspiracy will work,” he declared.

Oza hit back, saying: “What suraksha kavach? Women in Gujarat live in fear under Modi rule.”  The Congress said the incident exemplified the total invasion of privacy and violation of civil liberties under Modi’s rule.

Dismissing the charges of snooping and invasion of privacy, the BJP retaliated saying the Congress had no authority to ask for a probe, as the woman herself had made no complaint in the matter. BJP senior Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “Congress talk of a probe is all nonsense. Law and order is a state subject. Has the woman complained about the matter? Her father has issued a statement that he had asked for security for her. With what authority is the Congress and the Government of India asking for a probe?”

The Congress has said it wants a probe by a sitting Supreme Court judge. And, that Modi has no moral right to be a candidate for Prime Minister.