Sena attacks Modi over 'smouldering unrest' across India

Mumbai, April 19: The Shiv Sena, a BJP ally, on Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the "smouldering unrest" in different parts of India which, it warned, could turn into a "raging inferno".

The Sena compared the present situation in the country to Mumbai's stink zone, the Deonar garbage dump yard - which, it said, appeared cool from the outside but was a smouldering cauldron inside that erupted into flames regularly.

"Modi is roaming all over the world with the torch of peace, but his own home state Gujarat is in flames over the Patel reservation issue," the party said in a hard-hitting editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana.

"On the one hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party joins hands to form a government with secessionist forces in Jammu and Kashmir, on the other a person like Hardik Patel is being tried for sedition for allegedly insulting the tricolour," it said.

It pointed out that people were being killed daily in the name of peace in Jammu and Kashmir, that Maoists were indulging in regular bloodbath in Chhattisgarh, the situation was "virtually out of control" in Gujarat while in most other parts of the country police were implementing peace at gunpoint.

It said that while the BJP had threatened to behead people who don't chant 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', it had joined forces in Jammu and Kashmir to form a government with the very same people who don't chant 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. "Not a sign of good governance at all."

Accusing the BJP of doublespeak, the Sena said it had no qualms speaking to "elements" in Jammu and Kashmir but in Gujarat its arrogance prevented it from negotiating with their own people (Patels).

"Hardik Patel challenged the state government on Patel reservation issue, but since he threatened the authorities, they responded by slapping a sedition case against him… How justified was this," the Sena asked.

The entire youth of Gujarat who once supported Modi had come out in support of Hardik Patel, the Sena said, warning that the sparks of Gujarat must not spread elsewhere in the country.

"A youth like Hardik Patel challenges the Gujarat government, one Kanhaiya Kumar is also throwing challenges… But this is the time to remain cool, think with a peaceful mind."

The Sena warned that the BJP's arrogance could fan the smouldering flames and this must not be allowed to happen.

IANS