See no pain on Modi's face when he talks about riots: Gandhi's

Image
Press Trust of India Indore
Last Updated : Sep 22 2013 | 10:10 PM IST
Tara Gandhi-Bhattacharya, Mahatma Gandhi's granddaughter, today said she did not find any trace of anguish on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's face when he spoke about the 2002 post-Godhra riots in his state.
Talking to reporters here, she said, "I am surprised as to how Modi, being in politics, being a human being, and being from Gujarat, can speak about the riots and that phase of violence without showing any pain."
She, however, added that she was not passing a judgement on Modi as she did not know him well.
Gandhi-Bhattacharya, 78, is vice-chairman of the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti.
Modi was recently named BJP's prime ministerial candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
"Once I watched Modi speaking in Gujarat from a distance.I can't judge him. But when he mentions the excesses of the Gujarat riots, I do not see any anguish on his face," she said.
Talking about the conditions at refugees' camps in Gujarat which were set up after the riots, she said, "I was so pained (upon seeing them) that I could not sleep for the next six months."
About Modi's infamous "puppy coming under the wheels of a car" remark, she said it was a case of use of "indecent language".
Asked whether Modi becoming the prime minister would pose a danger to the democratic values of the country, Gandhi- Bhattacharya said: "I won't name anyone, because by singling out one person, others cannot be condoned. Whoever comes to power, must have compassion and courage.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Sep 22 2013 | 10:10 PM IST

Next Story