By IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, 30 Oct 2015: His silence or late and meek comment over controversial statements or hate remarks of his colleagues in the government and leaders of his party have been disturbing a big section of the citizens of the country for a long time. But today it became clear that the global community too is disturbed at the “ethnic tensions” as the global business rating agency Moody’s termed the current situation in the country. Moody’s has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to control his party members otherwise he would risk losing the domestic as well as global credibility.
In the ‘India Outlook: Searching for Potential’ report, Moody’s Analytics, a division of Moody’s Corporation, said: “Along with a possible increase in violence, the government will face stiffer opposition in the upper house as debate turns away from economic policy.”
According to media reports, the global agency said: “While Modi has largely distanced himself from the nationalist jibes, the belligerent provocation of various Indian minorities has raised ethnic tensions…Modi must keep his members in check or risk losing domestic and global credibility.”
While since after Modi assumed office of prime minister in May 2014, there has been a surge in communal tension in the country following provocative statements and hate campaigns started by some BJP leaders and even ministers to target minorities.
However, in the last couple of months, things have gone worse. While three Muslims were lynched in as many states over beef rumours in the last one month, three writers and intellectuals were murdered allegedly by Hindu fringe groups. While eminent journalist and writer Sudheendra Kulkarni was attacked and his face blackened by members of Shiv Sena in Mumbai for hosting a book launch event for a former Pakistan minister, Engineer Rashid, an MLA from Jammu and Kashmir, was assaulted and his face blackened at Press Club of India in Delhi for hosting a beef party in the valley.
The attack on writers and the growing intolerance in the country have forced over 60 writers, poets, scientists and filmmakers to return their national awards in just one month.
It is true that on and off and at public platforms, PM Modi has condemned, though meekly, hate campaigns and attacks on minorities. Last week, BJP president Amit Shah even summoned some of them to the party office – they included Mahesh Sharma (minister), Sakshi Maharaj (MP), Manohar Lal Khattar (chief minister of Haryana) and Sangeet Som (MLA) – and reportedly asked them to restrain themselves. But no strong actions from PM’s side, it seems, have emboldened the “motormouths” as BJP’s ally Akali Dal described those BJP leaders who have been making controversial statements. Akali Dal had also asked the PM to intervene and take strong action.
