Conversions next on Modi mind

The Narendra Modi government is set to embark on its Hindutva agenda by introducing a bill on religious conversions. The proposed legislatio...

The Narendra Modi government is set to embark on its Hindutva agenda by introducing a bill on religious conversions. The proposed legislation will be known as the Freedom of Religions Bill. Modi, who made an announcement to this effect here today, was back to his normal self 8212; taking potshots at the media and Chief Election Commissioner J.M. Lyngdoh.

When asked if the proposed bill implied that there was an absence of religious freedom in the state, Modi said: 8216;8216;Whether it is there or not, some mechanisms should be in place and should also be regularly reviewed.8217;8217; He said with a tinge of sarcasm that the bill will be formulated after studying such provisions in states like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh 8212;both ruled by the Congress.

BJP blitzkrieg hits Mumbai
Mumbai: 8216;8216;If you are a Bharatiya, read this!8217;8217;. A BJP volunteer thrusts a pamphlet to a scurrying office-goer. While another volunteer with a pamphlet warning 8216;8216;If you are a Bharatiya, don8217;t throw this away,8217;8217; tries to distribute it to a bunch of giggly and suddenly wary college girls. But, in the heart of Mumbai8217;s tumult, nationalism 8212; or the BJP8217;s definition of it 8212; isn8217;t exactly the day8217;s top priority.

Still, it is difficult to ignore the BJP blitzkrieg launched in advance of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi8217;s public felicitation on Sunday.
Ten hired municipal pick-up trucks have been dressed up like raths, with painted images of Modi, former CM Gopinath Munde and slogans. Groups of BJP workers will also organise meetings outside suburban stations to reach out to office-goers. A km-long banner carrying slogans will be displayed in ten suburbs in the city urging people to write their message for Modi.

The banner was unfurled for the first time on Friday near the Churchgate subway. BJP supporters came equipped with slogans like Swarga ka raja Indra, Gujarat ka raja Narendra. 8212;ENS

Hailing the Prime Minister for his 8216;8216;boldness8217;8217; in defining Hindutva, he said: 8216;8216;I believe in the concept propounded by seers for 10,000 years. We have all been brought up in that tradition. He is the first Prime Minister who has defined it and I welcome his boldness.8217;8217;

When a journalist sought to know his reaction to VHP general secretary Pravin Togadia8217;s statement that he should replace Vajpayee, Modi said: 8216;8216;Some friends even say that I should not be alive.8217;8217;

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Hinting at the media, Modi said those who tried to 8216;8216;tarnish Gujarat8217;s image during the past 10 months8217;8217; should chalk out a programme to restore their credibility. When a scribe sought to know whether he treated media as his 8216;8216;enemy8217;8217;, Modi remarked: 8216;8216;Whatever I am today is due to the press, especially the electronic media8217;8217;.

Regarding Lyngdoh8217;s statement asking people of HP to beware of outsiders trying to vitiate its atmosphere, Modi said: 8216;8216;Such statements were also made in Gujarat and the people there discerned the correct meaning. We hope that the people of Himachal will also give the same reply8217;8217;.