Tit for Tat: Shiv Sena reminds PM Modi of Godhra Riots over Dadri remarks

Mumbai: Senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut raked up the 2002 Gujarat riots and said, “PM Modi got worldwide recognition because of Godhra and Ahmedabad incidents and we also respect him because of that, but if he has made such comments on Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and Ghulam Ali then it is unfortunate.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s condemnation of the Dadri lynching incident and the cancellation of Ghulam Ali’s concert in Mumbai “unfortunate” hasn’t gone down well with Bharatiya Janata Party’s alliance partner in Maharashtra – Shiv Sena.

Raut stressed that the particular statements have been made by the ‘Prime Minister’ and not his ‘dear Modiji’.

Shiv Sena leader’s reaction came hours after PM Modi spoke to Bengali daily Ananda Bazar Patrika and said, “The Dadri incident or opposition to Pakistani singer is undesirable and unfortunate. But what is the central government’s relation with these incidents.”

Shiv Sena had earlier forced the cancellation of Pakistan ghazal singer Ghulam Ali’s concert in Mumbai.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut while speaking to media persons said that the Ghulam Ali concert cancellation was not unfortunate. “What is unfortunate is the PM’s statement. The country and the world knew of Modi’s leadership skills and strong Hindutva after Godhra and Ahmedabad. Everyone knew after this incidents that he is nationalistic and he fights for Hindutva.”said Raut.