CHENNAI THE HINDU TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011 13

2002 riots an ‘internal Gujarati matter’: Modi told American diplomat Suresh Nambath tial), Mr. Owen recounted or carrying out communal vi- Consul-General what followed after “a re- olence…failure to do so will CHENNAI: When an American laxed” Chief Minister had giv- create an atmosphere of im- Owen stands his diplomat raised the horrific en him “a glowing overview of punity in which radical ele- communal violence his Government’s achieve- ments would feel ground on ‘human of 2002 with Chief Minister ments in building infrastruc- emboldened in the future. He rights and religious in November ture and promoting economic concluded by underlining 2006, he got more than what growth in Gujarat” and he had that the U.S. Government freedom’ in a he had bargained for: a lec- responded appropriately. The considers human rights and ‘chilly’ 2006 ture on the “horrific human Consul General then moved religious freedom to be ex- rights violations” by the Unit- on to a taboo subject, an issue tremely important, and we meeting in ed States. that Mr. Modi evidently con- will continue to monitor de- Michael S. Owen, Consul sidered to be none of his busi- velopments and engage his General in Mumbai, was the ness: “while we are very Government in these areas.” Congress party MP and for- diplomat at the receiving end pleased with our business and Mr. Modi, switching to an ap- mer Minister of Environment of Mr. Modi’s tirade during a people to people relations parently more conciliatory Yuraj Digvijay Sinhji made to November 16, 2006 meeting with Gujarat, we remain con- note, allowed that he under- Mr. Owen: “The fact that Mo- in Gandhinagar. This was the cerned about communal rela- stood human rights and reli- di clearly has aspirations for first such meeting since the tions within the state. In gious freedom to be national leadership makes March 2005 revocation of particular, we remain con- important to the U.S. because him, ironically, one of the Mr. Modi’s U.S. visa on ac- cerned that nobody has yet “you people keep raising greatest protectors of com- count of his role in the 2002 been held accountable for the these issues all the time.” The munal harmony at this stage. communal violence in Guja- horrific communal violence meeting concluded with the Modi knows that another rat — in which (according to of 2002, and are further con- Chief Minister saying” with a outbreak like 2002 would an official ministerial state- cerned that an atmosphere of touch of irony that he hoped doom his chances, so he is go- ment made in Parliament in impunity could lead to a fur- Consul General would return ing to be particularly zealous 2005) 790 Muslims and 254 ther deterioration of commu- to Gujarat on a regular basis. to ensure there are no further Hindus were killed, and 223 nal relations. What is the ‘All Americans are always problems on his watch.” more people were reported as ’s welcome in my state,’ he But that was not all that missing. The genocidal attack view on this, he asked.” said.” Mr. Sinhji said in his lengthy on Muslims by mobs of Hindu Consul General Owen’s meeting with the Consul extremists and fanatics fol- ‘Modi visibly annoyed’ concluding comment in the General. “Asked whether Mo- lowed the burning of a coach “A visibly annoyed Modi,” cable is: “Modi is clearly not di could become a national of the Sabarmati Express by a the Consul General reported going to apologize or back leader,” the Mumbai consul- local mob of Muslim extre- to the State Department, “re- EYES WIDE SHUT: While the State looked on, 790 Muslims and 254 Hindus were killed, and 223 more down on the violence of 2002, ate-general cable relays to the mists and fanatics at Godhra sponded at considerable people were reported as missing in over four weeks of rioting. A 2002 file photograph of rioters in but we think it is vital for him State Department,” Sinhji on February 27, 2002. The length.” The Chief Minister, . — PHOTO: AP to hear that we are not going (himself the scion of the prin- coach was carrying kar sevaks he said, made three essential to let the passage of time cely Wankaner family and a returning from Ayodhya. The points: “the events of 2002 what is everybody griping cute, and punish those guilty occurred and nobody had bodies elections in Muslim erase the memory of these Cambridge grad) sniffed that police failed to quell the post- were an internal Gujarati about?” of wrongdoing. This is what been sanctioned; this gave lit- districts, and that a recent events. Despite the chilly at- Modi ‘lacks the polish and re- Godhra anti-Muslim pogrom matter and the U.S. had no Mr. Owen correctly point- we and others would like to tle confidence that anyone study had found literacy mosphere of the meeting, finement’ to become a nation- that went on for several right to interfere; the U.S. is ed out that it was not only the see in Gujarat.” would ultimately be held ac- among Muslims was higher in Modi did take on board the al leader. But Sinhji raised weeks, which lent credence to itself guilty of horrific human U.S. that was concerned with To this, “Modi grumbled countable. “Modi noted (ac- Gujarat than in any other message that human rights another reason why Modi reports of state complicity in rights violations (he specified this issue. “The Indian Na- that the Indian National Hu- curately, alas) that the state. The 2002 violence had and religious freedom are im- could face challenges in be- the violence. Mr. Modi was Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, tional Human Rights Com- man Rights Commission was culprits in the 1993 Mumbai involved a ‘few miscreants’ portant issues that we will coming a national leader: Mo- questioned on March 27, and attacks on Sikhs in the mission report itself cited ‘a biased and its reports wildly bombings are only now being and had been blown out of continue to monitor careful- di’s reputation for being 2010 by the Supreme Court- U.S. after September 11) and comprehensive failure on the inaccurate. More broadly, he sentenced, so we should not proportion by ‘fringe ele- ly. We believe Sinhji’s com- completely incorruptible is appointed Special Investiga- thus has no moral basis to part of the state Government’ claimed, the U.S. relied far too have ‘unrealistic ments,’ he said. Communal ments on Modi are indeed accurate, and if he were to tion Team headed by R.K. speak on such matters, and; to prevent the violence of much on ‘a few fringe NGOs’ expectations’.” relations in Gujarat are now accurate: ironically the man become a national leader he Raghavan, former Director of Muslims are demonstrably 2002. We are reflecting a that don’t know the real pic- excellent, he claimed.” most hold accountable for the would crack down on corrup- the Central Bureau of Investi- better off in Gujarat than in broad cross section of opin- ture and have an axe to grind. ‘Evasive, backtracked’ Mr. Owen responded that communal violence of 2002 tion throughout the BJP. gation, in connection with the any other state in , so ion that no one has been held In any event, if officials are When the diplomat asked if the U.S. acknowledged the may now be the most ardent There are too many BJP rank Gujarat riots. accountable for the violence guilty of wrongdoing, then it there was in fact an active in- many positive accomplish- defender of communal har- and file waiting to line their In a revealing Mumbai and that consequently a cli- is up to the courts to prose- vestigation of the Gujarat vio- ments of the Modi govern- mony, at least on the surface. pockets once the BJP returns Consulate cable, which was U.S. itself is guilty mate of impunity is develop- cute and punish them, and lence still under way, “Modi ment, including economic It remains to be seen to what to power, Sinhji said, and the sent on November 27, 2006 to of ‘horrific human ing. Secondly, Abu Ghraib is the Chief Minister could not was evasive and backtracked growth and education: extent Gujarat’s economic prospect of Modi cracking the the State Department and co- precisely the point: Ameri- interfere with the judicial to his claim that Muslims in “These are to be applauded, boom will lead to genuinely whip on corruption is entirely pied to an interesting selec- rights violations,’ cans can also commit human process.” Gujarat are better off than in but do not diminish in any improved communal rela- unappealing to this crowd. tion of U.S. embassies, hits back Gujarat rights violations but when The Consul General reac- any other state in India. He way the importance of hold- tions over time.” Modi would have a hard time consulates, and other desti- they do we have a clear proce- ted that it had been well over noted that the BJP had won ing accountable those per- The reference is to an “in- clearing this hurdle, accord- nations (87085: confiden- Chief Minister dure to investigate, prose- four years since the violence big victories in recent local sons who are guilty of inciting teresting point” that former ing to Sinhji.” When Modi was denied the visa Caste politics at work

Suresh Nambath States. an effect opposite from that acted in accordance with our U.S. decision, was “unlikely During the meeting with intended: “a strong own law and democratic to ratchet up the pressure in Gujarat CHENNAI: Sometimes, Mr. Blake, Mr. Saran emotional reaction which constitution.” The U.S., he further.” diplomacy is more about characterised the U.S. had the potential to polarise told the Foreign Secretary, The New Embassy’s keeping up appearances decision on Mr. Modi’s the Indian people.” This, he had taken into consideration reading of the situation, Modi holds his friends close, his enemies even closer than about achieving visa as “uncalled for” and noted, would not be in the independent reports, even if it was arguable on concrete results. as a display of a “lack of interest of religious including that of India’s own Mr. Modi’s “position Sarah Hiddleston weakened his critics by only was that Mr. Modi appeared After India urged the courtesy and sensitivity.” harmony, or shared U.S. and National Human Rights deteriorating” in the appearing to devolve some to “be using the cabinet ex- United States in March The Foreign Secretary Indian objectives. Commission. “The decision national leadership stakes, CHENNAI: Gujarat Chief Minis- power to them and by securi- pansion to change the power 2005 to reconsider its conveyed that the refusal Highlighting the political was not taken capriciously, must have reassured the ter Narendra Modi used ng pledges of loyalty.” equation among castes.” decision to revoke the visa had already “incited a ramifications, Mr. Saran said but involved many people in State Department: “caste resentments” to “tight- The cable noted: “Many The cable elaborated: of Gujarat Chief Minister controversy and the Bharatiya Washington.” “Congress has long viewed en his grip on power,” after contacts, including journal- “Tensions between the size- Narendra Modi, the U.S. threatened to spark just (BJP) was “up in arms.” The Modi as a vulnerable target ‘Position deteriorating’ his “autocratic leadership ists Anosh Malekar and Uday able, landowning and better- Embassy made an action the kind of divisiveness incident, he added, might and will, at the appropriate style” provoked consterna- Mahurkar as well as BJP offi- off Patel caste and … ‘Other request to Washington the US alleges Modi “open up an odd type of Another cable sent three time, use the visa incident as tion in the Bharatiya Janata cial Pankaj Mudholkar, told Backward Castes’ (OBC) have seeking a “review” of the himself facilitated.” standard to give or not give days later (29231: further ammunition against Party and forced an expan- us that none of the new min- long simmered in Gujarat’s case. However, the ‘action Reporting on the visas.” confidential), also under him. Both Congress and the sion of his Cabinet in 2005, isters will have any significant politics. Modi belongs to a request’ cable of March 18, meeting, the confidential On his part, Mr. Blake the name of Ambassador BJP particularly value the the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai policy-making clout or siza- small and economically weak 2005 (29140: cable said: “Saran argued explained to Mr. Saran the Mulford, reported that the US-India relationship and reported. ble budgets that can be di- OBC group…Our contacts tell confidential) also had a to the DCM that the USG two parts of the U.S. decision United Progressive Alliance Modi’s America bashing has The August 10, 2005 cable verted for political patronage. us nine of the 11 new cabinet revealing accompanying [United States – the refusal of the A2, and (UPA) government, after made many nervous. Both (38300: confidential; only The newcomers received de- members are from the OBC note: “Post does not expect Government] had made a the revocation of the B1/B2, having “gone through the parties will likely move to partial extract accessible), partments such as women grouping. They are also any change, but would decision based on opinion, “highlighting that we had motions” by protesting the ensure that the negative which was issued under the and child welfare, employ- drawn evenly from all regions appreciate a cable telling an opinion that even some impact on the relationship name of Public Affairs Sec- ment guarantee and fisheries. of Gujarat. Having effectively the GOI [Government of in India hold. That from this incident is tion Director Linda C. The CM and his core support- manipulated religious strife India] we took a fresh look opinion, however, is a minimal. With Modi’s Cheatham days after the ex- ers still control the most im- to strengthen his power base and decided to maintain separate issue from the position deteriorating, the pansion, took a close look at portant portfolios, such as during and after the 2002 our decision.” fact that Modi is a BJP leadership could decide its timing and the allocation Home, Finance, Industry, Ir- riots in Gujarat, Modi is now constitutionally-mandated to quietly push him aside at Grave concern of portfolios. rigation and Rural using caste/class resent- office holder whose the appropriate time. This Mr. Modi’s moves, the ca- Development.” ments within Hinduism to The cable was sent by position derives from the could become a further ble explained, were the result “Modi timed the expansion tighten his grip, many of our the New Delhi Embassy people. Saran argued that liability for [BJP president of a direction from BJP presi- of the cabinet,” the Mumbai contacts believe.” under the name of the US as a democracy L.K.] Advani, who [was] the dent Lal Krishna Advani fol- Consulate cable pointed out The Mumbai Consulate Ambassador David would appreciate this, and senior party leader most lowing criticism from party “to take advantage of the ab- surmised that the refusal of Mulford after India’s argued that the dignity of visibly supporting Modi.” members. According to the sence of the leader of the re- BJP MLA (and a VHP mem- Foreign Secretary Shyam the office of Chief Minister The Embassy cable also cable, “Modi consented under bels, former Gujarat chief ber) Govardhan Zhadapia to Saran called the Deputy cannot be overridden. reported that in private the condition that the BJP minister Keshubhai Patel. take the Cabinet posting of- Chief of Mission in the Calling the USG conversations with appoint a state party presi- Patel is currently in the U.S., fered to him, and the appoint- Embassy, Robert O. Blake, determination that Modi American diplomats, dent loyal to him. In early where his wife is undergoing ment of Purushottam to his office on March 18, had failed to act in Gujarat “Indians have expressed June, Advani kept his part of medical treatment. Modi re- Solanki, wanted by the Mum- 2005 to express India’s during the 2002 riots a overwhelming support for the bargain when the BJP ap- portedly focused on two in- bai police for “extortion,” “grave concern” over the ‘subjective judgment,’ the US decision.” Initial pointed Vajubhai Vala as Guj- fluential Patel supporters and could potentially alienate revocation of Mr. Modi’s Saran suggested that shock at the denial was now arat BJP president.” enticed them to join his cabi- both VHP and urban middle visa. perhaps Washington had turning to embarrassment The Gujarat Chief Minister net under conditions that Pa- class voters. Evidently, the not considered that this and “Modi harmed himself made the most of the devel- tel himself would probably However, the confidential Embassy’s only interest in was a separate issue in the by making vitriolic anti- opment, the cable said, ex- never have supported.” cable concluded that “in a sending the ‘action Indian mind.” American statements that plaining that he “ingeniously The Consulate’s reading BJP beset by internal strug- request’ cable to the State While appreciating the are not resonating well.” gles, Mr. Modi’s revival sets Department was the importance that the One former Director of the him up nicely to influence the diplomatic and political United States government Central Bureau of Modi timed the expansion of the cabinet king making when the time necessity of responding to attached to religious Investigation, the cable said, comes.” In fact, he seemed Mr. Saran on March 19, freedom, Mr. Saran The Ministry of External Affairs made a pitch for told DCM that “Ninety five to take advantage of the absence of the “stronger than at any time 2005, the day Mr. Modi cautioned that this restoring Narendra Modi’s U.S. visa. percent of India stands with leader of the rebels, former Gujarat since the rebels took their op- was to travel to the United determination could have — PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR you.” position public” — indeed a Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel. “force to be reckoned with.”

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