Narendra Modi and Muslims of Varanasi
A Thaw Possible?
Varanasi may 9. Narendra Modi's motorcade passed though 500 metre stretch of Madanpura this evening peacefully and intelligence staff and security men had a sigh of relief. Sudden electricity failure, just when motorcade is about to enter the densely populated Muslim locality tested nerves of the administration.To their relief power cut was only for few minutes. Stereotypes still rule much of the election narratives inspite of all talks of change and development.
Eyewitnesses said that hundreds of people including women at the balcony watched motorcade passing through Madanpura. There was no curiosity, no enthusiasm and most importantly no anxiety. The man inside the heavily guarded vehicle was not welcomed with garlands or flower petals as the case in the remaining 4.5 km route.
Opponents of Modi are at least agree on one point- Modi should not get a single Muslim vote. The rivals aspiring for second place in the election fray are more or less using same language against Modi- butcher of Gujarat, nemesis of secularism, enemy of communal harmony. Aap leader Kejriwal did not hurl communal allegations against Modi but thousands of his secular well wishers, gathered here from all over India are telling Banarasis about Gujarat Ka Sach. Anti-Modi campaign is so much intense in Muslim localities that Modi's overtures like revival of Banarasi saree industy, improving the skill of bunkars, branding and marketing strategies for this stagnant industry fall on deaf ears.One of my friends, who regularly visits Lullapura and Jaipura localities and interacts with cross sections of minority community said, nobody is interested in success story of Gujarati kites and potential growth of Banarasi sarees; their main concern is make their votes count. And three of Modi's challengers are competing to garner their votes.
Modi in his Rohania rally invoked Rahim and Raskhan besides Kabir and Tulsi. In an emotional gesture he touched the feet of centurion freedom fighter and colleague of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Colonel Nizamuddin. Will this imagery replace the image of Modi refusing wear a skullcap?
A Thaw Possible?
Varanasi may 9. Narendra Modi's motorcade passed though 500 metre stretch of Madanpura this evening peacefully and intelligence staff and security men had a sigh of relief. Sudden electricity failure, just when motorcade is about to enter the densely populated Muslim locality tested nerves of the administration.To their relief power cut was only for few minutes. Stereotypes still rule much of the election narratives inspite of all talks of change and development.
Eyewitnesses said that hundreds of people including women at the balcony watched motorcade passing through Madanpura. There was no curiosity, no enthusiasm and most importantly no anxiety. The man inside the heavily guarded vehicle was not welcomed with garlands or flower petals as the case in the remaining 4.5 km route.
Opponents of Modi are at least agree on one point- Modi should not get a single Muslim vote. The rivals aspiring for second place in the election fray are more or less using same language against Modi- butcher of Gujarat, nemesis of secularism, enemy of communal harmony. Aap leader Kejriwal did not hurl communal allegations against Modi but thousands of his secular well wishers, gathered here from all over India are telling Banarasis about Gujarat Ka Sach. Anti-Modi campaign is so much intense in Muslim localities that Modi's overtures like revival of Banarasi saree industy, improving the skill of bunkars, branding and marketing strategies for this stagnant industry fall on deaf ears.One of my friends, who regularly visits Lullapura and Jaipura localities and interacts with cross sections of minority community said, nobody is interested in success story of Gujarati kites and potential growth of Banarasi sarees; their main concern is make their votes count. And three of Modi's challengers are competing to garner their votes.
Modi in his Rohania rally invoked Rahim and Raskhan besides Kabir and Tulsi. In an emotional gesture he touched the feet of centurion freedom fighter and colleague of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Colonel Nizamuddin. Will this imagery replace the image of Modi refusing wear a skullcap?
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