So, I was invited to the Wharton India Economic Forum (WIEF) conference to be held on March 23rd.
Unfortunately I had to turn down the invite due to an important development in progress at Games2win (hopefully I will announce the same by the end of March).
I wished I could have gone!
While I thank Wharton for considering me, these are my views on their decision to ‘disinvite’ Modi.
While we all know of the ‘legal’ verdicts on Modi and what he is guilty about (being passive) and not guilty about (direct involvement) in the Gujarat Riots, the point remains that he is ‘tainted’.
A tainted person is always controversial. From the report that seems to be the most detailed about this incident, it’s clear that after his invitation was extended, a section of the Wharton faculty objected to this and precipitated a signature campaign that succeeded in getting Modi disinvited.
If you read the interview, the objections cited (for the objections) are interesting:
– Being a keynote speaker meant that Modi was being honored as ‘Chief Guest’. That meant that it was tantamount to an endorsement of what Modi stands for – by the UPenn community! (which, of course, was not acceptable to the faculty members that initiated the campaign).
– I was invited as a digital entrepreneur from India. My work rhymed with the theme of ‘Development of India’ which is the theme of the Conference.
In the interview cited above, Wharton’s faculty member Toorjo Ghose says of Modi’s developmental work, “There are serious holes in his development story, with only favorable figures being brandished. There are huge cases of systematic underdevelopment in so many areas in Gujarat. Our studies have shown that too. Consider the state’s record with the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. Its record of conviction is 25 per cent on his watch, the lowest for any state. And that’s because there are elaborate and systematic ways of undermining investigations to get this low rate. Look at the hunger and health indices, especially among SCs/STs. Gujarat is one of the worst. Malnutrition rates of Muslim children are unbelievable. Many of these are worse than many Third World countries. There’s so much smoke and mirrors with Modi.”
– The ‘objections’ were not just from students and faculty. The ‘anti-Modi’ campaign was leveraged on social media and quickly avalanched to a global support group that said “No”. This was the world agreeing with the view that Modi was not needed at Wharton as a Chief Guest.
So, what can we learn from this?
THESE ARE MY STRONG, PERSONAL VIEWS. Please note that I am not associated with any political party. Nor do I have any connections with the Wharton School.
1. You can forgive, but you can’t forget.
No one will or should ever forget what happened in Narendra Modi’s Gujarat. No one will ever forget Hitler and what happened to the Jews. No one will ever forget what Assad is doing to the citizens of Syria.
Anyone who makes humans suffer or does nothing to stop their suffering will be punished eventually. First by the law, then by history, and permanently by the law of Karma.
2. If you have failed, work really hard to make up.
This is not the first time we are reading about the fact that socio–economic progress in Gujarat is suspect. I have seen many interviews of social workers who have brought up the same issues that Professor Toorjo Ghose has mentioned.
What does this mean? How can so many people be wrong? If Modi does project himself to be a reformist and a revolutionary, why doesn’t his work reflect that?
3. Factories and Roads are not enough.
I laugh at my ‘Pro-Modi’ friends who talk about the ‘spectacular’ progress made in Gujarat.
Yeah, sure!
I simply remind them of that fact that the Nazis contributed significantly to Science and Technology – but does that even justify their existence??
What Modi needs to demonstrate STRONGLY is that he cares about people and the citizens of his state; specifically the ones that came in harm’s way during his governance.
Modi needs to repair hearts and souls beyond building roads and rails.
4. Humility
I sometimes catch Narendra Modi on television. A few months ago, I watched him ‘symbolically’ saying ‘sorry’ (he never specified why he said sorry). There was so much arrogance and vanity in his ‘sorry’ that he looked like a bad actor flunking a screen test!
Personally, I don’t spot even an atom of humility in Modi. He is all about himself, his work and his grandeur.
Well, the world doesn’t care and quickly sniffs out such people!
You have to be humble to move people which starts by acknowledging mistakes and then by working towards repairing them.
It is bad manners on Wharton to have invited Modi and then to have canceled the same; but then Modi is used to being bad mannered right?
*****
ASHUTOSH KHANDKAR
I have had this argument with a number of people. What my point is .. That in 10 years Modi has performed exceptionally in one aspect of development of Gujrat.
Social development will happen once there is financial backing which will happen only after good industrialization and and good infrastructure.
Had Modi concentrated on development of the underprivileged people we would have criticized him of playing vote bank politics just like other politicians ..
Lets 1st ask Modi .. does he have an agenda for the development and betterment of such people.
Let him know whats the priority of the population of Gujrat and ask him what is his line of action … does our political governance have such a system for feedback mechanism …
What is the system in which the CM will know that the priority of the majority of the state population is betterment of the under privileged and not better roads / more electricity / more industrialization etc etc
I feel Modi should serve gujrat more rather than focusing on PM post.
his model has worked in Gujrat .. not sure that it will in rest of india
Let him get fill all the loopholes which were not taken care off untill now.
we can have 1 ideal state been governed rather than the whole country being confused ..
Afroze
Strongly second your thoughts.
Anyone who makes humans suffer or does nothing to stop their suffering will be punished eventually. First by the law, then by history, and permanently by the law of Karma. – Not sure of the first one being in India :p
Shabbir Kapasi
I don’t think there is any perfect state. Every state CM has his own priorities.For the privileged Modi is a promising future and for under privileged it is always a cry and after sometime they get immune by continuing to accept.
What do you think is the solution? Year after year there are pointers of tainted politicians and as time passes we live with nothing but just HOPE. I agree to all your points, but when and how do we see that change? Empowering common man up to the last in the que by eradicating poverty and increasing standards through better governance without prejudice is what I think all of us are longing to see. Since Independence does it take so long for the common man of India to see the change?
I hear this very common statement ” chalta he..jab tak chalta hei chalne do. Kuch nai kar saktey he.” I feel a single voice is missing. No one can forget the atrocities especially those who have lost or witnessed such gruesome incidents.
Its high time I feel some sort of collective effort should be made first to let every Indian kindle the true form of citizenship of India and then come out in the open and voice it.
Mr. Alok am really glad to be a part of Rodinhoods.com. Great work and all the best.
Pawan Deokule
My two bits on the controversial Modi Ban ned.
Lets face it, pick any politician and there is no conviction that the politician is not tainted unless he was thrown out of politics early on. So what we are looking for is not a saint, but a man who can lead and implement economic and social progress!
Having said that, politics is a game of deed comparison and not a character checklist. The involvement of Modi in the riots and the extent of his involvement in deaths is a matter that is best left to courts. However, the message to Modi on what he did (based on his real involvement- only he knows) is clear. You cannot divide your house on religion or class or creed. It stops outsiders from accepting you or helping your house; which is surely going to burn down!
That said, Modi is in politics for last 10 yrs seems to have committed himself to overall progress that is now visible and may never pick up such a losing battle of division on the mainland.
This man came to Mumbai and said he will bring greater progress to Gujarat than what that in Mumbai; with an open challenge to the Shiv Sena and congress! The point is 5 years later he achieved it!
We also saw what happened after Modi’s invitation was revoked by wharton. The conference fell apart. Three senators then come in and invited Modi to visit US.
How long are we going to carry the tainted card on this man who seems to be one of the few politicians carrying a progress card? Even religion says forgive those of their sins who may accept reformation. 10 Years and being banned and re-iterated that what he did ten yrs ago was wrong and not to be repeated will be a constant stain on Modi which he cannot forget anymore, if he does this (the past misdeeds) will be the first thing that comes up even in future. Punishment is for courts to give, people forget and religion forgives.
I think we ought to give Modi a window to prove that he can run a country, I think the western world already seems to be recognizing this. Its our turn now for our progress and future. We must bury our egos and vested interests while we choose the best amongst the worst to lead our country to that one goal of progress.
Shabbir Kapasi
Pawan, the image of the politician is dependent on the perception of people.
I happened to have a short conversation with one of my client (connected with a well known political party) as we were discussing on the issue of L.B.T lately in Pune. Interestingly his views were very clear that because we have divisions and representatives from various religions and communities it boils down to the fact that we have to consider everyone at the end of the day to keep them happy. It is easier when you have one sect of people. Now my point is we are Indian Citizens first where does the question of religion enter because at the end of the day every one wants a decent livelihood, an opportunity for growth, and a steady growth in living standards.
Its not about forgetting or forgiving but placing terms like accountability, responsibility and dedication for the people below as you move up. What is the guarantee that if Mr X Politician becomes the PM, Modi or not Modi there will be that great change? Other wise we will be holding the same discussion next time for another modi type model politician.
The problem is we forget the people below us. Social responsibility becomes taking for granted at top levels when task involves too many levels of delegation. The same is also for an organisation. Every weak person also has a strength until we find it.
Eligibility criteria and constitutional amendments are vital to be implemented.
Aneja Raj
Agree with Alok, especially on point No 1. Turning a blind eye when u could have prevented atrocities is as guilty as committing the atrocities itself. Its called “Willful Ignorance”. Most recently it happened in the James Murdoch phone scandal. Following are the words from the UK parliamentary report – James had ‘showed willful ignorance of the extent of phone-hacking’ and found him ‘guilty of an astonishing lack of curiosity’ over the issue.
Alok Rodinhood Kejriwal
Wow. Awesome words. Thank god for the courts of the Uk & India!
Adnaan
Modi has dubious human rights record, that is well known. But the right to speak and the ability to hear even such a person is a burden an advanced society has to carry. The Nazis were ostracized in the same manner in the 1930’s and they became the monster’s they did. Maybe the tactful thing would have been to engage Modi in a one on one debate.
Modi and his teeming minions believe that development(in whatever form) is a band-aid for the medieval thinking. Alcohol is banned by the state and there was even talk of ban on eggs in the state assembly! They eventually didn’t go through with the egg-banning idea, but it shows the kind of ideological(religious and cultural) and hollow politics being played out in Gujarat. Modi’s agenda for development is sound without doubt(though much can be done towards social and economic equity) but it does not varnish over his alleged human right’s violation. I could never understand how the state of Gandhi became the state of Modi.
Sanchita Dutta
actually there is no end to this discussion whether modi by not taking adequate action became a party to the crime… if this were yardstick, most politicians and leader would fail the muster…examples..
1. indira died, riots happened, politicians and rulers of the day took inadequate action. thousands got butchered. but the man who many believed was most responsible since he could have taken the most effective action to prevent the riots and who did nothing, ended up getting bharat ratna. in another country and time, he might have been guilty of mass murder
2. bhopal gas leak happend. thousands died. the foreign owner of the company responsible for literally escorted out of the country. He recently died but wonder how he lived with the guilt of helping a criminal run out of the country who was responsible for the incident.
3. Maharashtra, 100s committed suicide, many more literally came to subsistence living. drought like conditions. all this while the precious water found its way into the factories and industries owned directly or otherwise by the politicians and leaders. dint they cause those deaths? arent they guilty? on top of that those nasty comments about lack of water and electricity…
our history is full of such incidents. most politicians have encashed this indifference and ensured people lived in misery. Modi is surely an exception. he has been the reason for genuine growth in the state. unfortunately some people though could never see it beyond their myopic view of the matter.
Adnaan
So are we supposed to just shut up and move on with it? Why do you think other politicians do not fail this yardstick? They do fail it, and they do face it’s consequences. Congress leaders who participated in the 1984 pogrom were put in the doghouse forever and not glorified like Modi. Congress itself was cut down into half and never recovered. In Bihar after the 1989 riots the Janata Dal captured power and Congress “never” came back into power. They still won’t for at-least for the near future. So should we stop being vigilant and give into the callousness of horrid politics and politicians just because “everyone is like that”? This apathy is atypical of middle class of India who just want another car or flat or a vacation and push forward the agenda of a politician who won’t even “acknowledge” the presence of 20% of the country’s population. That development is hollow and the actions are not enough. How is including every strata and section of society in development myopic?