Campaigning for Lok Sabha elections has crossed all decent and acceptable norms this time. Allegations and counter-allegations are leveled during the election campaign but if the case involves the parents, any civilized society may seldom accept it. That too, if you pass such a cheap comment for such a person not alive now and had been martyred for the nation. I am talking about the comments made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding late Rajiv Gandhi. Modi attacked Rajiv Gandhi without naming him for Bofors scam in an election rally at Pratapgarh just before the fifth phase of Loksabha elections. Modi said, “Your (Rahul Gandhi) father was made Mr. Clean by his courtiers with pump and show. But his life finished as Corrupt No. 1. Gentleman, this ego will eat you up. The nation forgives the mistakes, but never the cheaters.” I was disappointed and sad over this comment from the prime minister. I am aware how much Rajiv Gandhi was hurt over these baseless charges leveled by VP Singh. I felt his grief at many occasions. He was innocent and was also given clean chit by the courts of the country. The very Bofors gun made us win the Kargil war and is still combating every attack of the enemy at borders. I was indeed privileged to be a friend of Rajiv ji. I have many pleasant memories which remind me of his greatness. Hearing the comment from Modi, I could not restrain myself and I also reacted over his cheap comment over Twitter and Facebook. I wrote: “It is unfortunate to comment on late Shri Rajiv Gandhi, in particular who is not alive now. It shows our declining level of politics. Rajiv ji has much respect which can in turn benefit the Congress. Various friends commented on this post on my face book wall. I wish to mention here some of them so that you could also know even now people have much respect for Rajiv ji. A reader wrote: Well said I totally agree with you. Ethical level in politics is declining, is much pitiable. Only the positive attitude can save the nation. Top level reporters and editors should take a decision. You have strengthened the politicians. Only you can show them mirror. A reader commented: PM has degraded to the lowest level. Another reader commented: Living in past for power, not telling what the present government did in five years, just bent on dirty politics. A reader wrote: Unfortunate, shame on such politics, you said right sir; he can say anything to anybody for the sake of votes. A close friend in Canada wrote: For the first time in history, has any prime minister passed such a cheapish comment on Rajiv Gandhi. You have enmity with Congress, not with Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul or Priyanka. Shame on you! Another friend wrote: It is well said power is charas, intoxicated PM is making such statements and degrading the dignity of his office. A close friend wrote: While we come across a funeral procession passing by, we salute it by heart and pray for soul to rest in peace, use of such indecent language by the person on the topmost office of India depicts only his mentality. These people have forgotten the sacrifices made by his family for the nation, just mentioned the lust for power. It is a matter of great shame. Sir, Rajiv ji was your close friend; he used to attend the functions of Vir Arjun also. One wrote: Rajiv ji is above the politics. Lastly, a friend wrote: The cheap statement is the biggest and the worst lie of Modi. It is a proof of his desperation of defeat in the elections. While Atal Behari Vajpayee was in power, the court had clearly said in its judgement that Rajiv Gandhi is absolutely innocent. Modi has shown that to which extent one can degrade in politics. If it is Modi, it is possible. Modi he to sub mumkin he, he says.There are too many comments, yet a few are mentioned. I still remember the fateful day, when it was reported from Shriperembadur that Rajiv Gandhi has been assassinated. There was a stunned silence and the roads were empty.No one could believe that the news was true.
ANIL NARENDRA
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