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One of the recent narratives pushed by some is that Narendra Modi is ‘spineless.’ I concur.
And to add credence to this narrative I’d like to recall 20 incidents from Narendra Modi’s life that reflect how weak and uninspiring he’s been.
And to add credence to this narrative I’d like to recall 20 incidents from Narendra Modi’s life that reflect how weak and uninspiring he’s been.
Emergency —He fought against Indira’s dictatorship so much so that he was given a 5-minute standing ovation in June 2000 in Gujarat at a reunion of those who were detained under MISA.
But what’s gutsy about standing up against an all-powerful leader intoxicated by power?
Calamities —1998 Kandla cyclone. 2000 Ahmedabad floods. 2001 Kutch earthquake. He took responsibility of leading Gujarat in this backdrop.
But this is no biggie! The lord createth and the lord destroyeth, right? Guts would’ve been for Modi to tweet, not lead!
Godhra Riots —A massive conspiracy to plunge India into riots and destroy Modi and the BJP. Modi handled the riots in a way that Gujarat has been peaceful since.
So? Anyone could’ve done it. You just give orders to the police and other forces. Big deal!
2002 Elections —2000 municipal elections: BJP lost Ahmedabad and Rajkot, wiped out in 21 of 23 panchayats. Vote share down to 20% from 80%. Earthquake, riots. But BJP won 127/182 seats.
Eh! Isme kya? All experts here have won many more elections than Modi, haven’t they?
Questioning —Gets grilled for 9 hours by a vindictive government. He wanted the questioning to get over in one day so he sat till 1 am.
But such calm and grit in the face of overwhelming conspiracy is child’s play! We all have it in us to hold ourselves firm like this!
Ishrat Jahan —A terrorist comes to assassinate you, you foil the plot, and then you’re conspired against so you can be thrown in jail as revealed by DG Vanzara.
Modi’s fault is he let this conspiracy happen! Most experts here would’ve killed it in its womb. Feeble Modi!
Journey from 2000 to 2013 —Abused relentlessly. Targeted with deadly conspiracies. Life at risk. But didn’t quit. Kept on challenging the ecosystem.
Again, so? Finding people in this yuga who give up everything to transform the nation at personal risk is SO easy!
Patna Bomb Blast 2013 —Told at the airport that bomb blasts had occurred at the ground where he was to address a rally. Yet he went ahead.
Ye to bewakoofi hai na! Where is spine in this? Would’ve been gutsy had he gone back and tweeted his speech and an apology.
Surgical Strikes —Made the LoC redundant. Transformed war dynamics with Pakistan. Risked a larger confrontation and more casualties that would’ve led to him being blamed.
But what’s courageous about fighting terrorism head-on through the use of muscle?
Demonetisation —With a stroke outlawed big currencies. Pushed the poor to the streets, and the rich into a dizzy over losing money. Knew he’d be criticised heavily yet he went ahead.
Ye to bache ki pocket money kaatne jitne aasan hai. Kya Modi ji ap bhi!
Doklam —Stood up to a stronger China. Stood up against China’s immense psychological warfare. Stood up FOR a weaker Bhutan. Stood firm with the Indian Army.
Risked a major war. Risked economic repercussions. But again, nothing majorly gutsy about this.
Air Strikes —Unprecedented use of air force. Struck Pakistani territory. Could’ve easily snowballed into a war with a demented nuclear-armed nation.
Real spine was criticising Modi for a late reaction by tweeting, not actually spearheading a monumental decision.
Abhinandan —Prevented Abhinandan from meeting a fate like that of Saurabh Kalia. One can only imagine what Modi must have said to Imran for him to release the pilot.
Why did Abhinandan even fall in Pakistani hands? Why didn’t Modi immediately attack? Arghh!
370 —70 years of vested interests. Open backing by Pakistan for decades. Terror-infested. Anti-India sentiment. Yet, 370 gone, and not a single terror attack after.
But if Modi really had spine he would’ve abrogated 370 in June 2014 right after coming to power!
Lutyens and NGOs Out —Throws out hundreds of leeches from Lutyens bungalows triggering the intolerance campaign. Stomps unaccounted funding of NGOs that were working against India.
But real guts would’ve been to collaborate with the NGOs and fill his own pockets.
Ram Mandir —A civilisational matter with no real solution in sight. Yet in just over 5 years of power Ram Mandir became a reality. Moreover, not a SINGLE incident of communal tension arouse.
But a spineless Modi has no concern for Hindus and simply hops temples!
Yogi, the CM —Won the UP election. Made Yogi Adityanath the CM despite knowing how the ecosystem will target him. Did so because he understands the cruciality of a Hindu revival.
But real spine is in pressing keys and advising, not in taking such visionary decisions.
Lockdown —1.3 bn restricted to homes. Economy on halt. Dream of a $5 tn economy hurt. Managing this daunting situation with limited resources and freedom.
Nothing bold about this! Can he sit at home with family and sermonise how to run a government?
Halt China —Changed FDI rules to prevent opportunistic takeovers by China. A move fully in national interest against the most aggressive economic power in the world.
But Modi has jelly for a spine.
Standing Up to America —Didn’t succumb to America’s threats and pressure on purchase of the S-400 or the Chabahar Port project with Iran. Kept India’s security first.
What’s so great about that, huh? Spine would’ve been to challenge the US to a conflict, right?
Narendra Modi is as staunch a patriot as I will ever see. I need nothing more than that. If I can’t trust and unflinchingly support a man with pious intentions and all good traits hard to find in one person then no one is worthy of my trust.
With you forever @narendramodi ji
With you forever @narendramodi ji
