Hindus can wipe Pak off world map: Modi

Gujarat caretaker Chief Minister Narendra Modi was playing to the gallery again today as his yatra rolled out from Dahod circuit house in the tribal belts of central Gujarat on the second day of the sixth phase of the Gaurav Yatra.

	English media gets an earful
DAHOD: Though for some time now Narendra Modi had chosen to refrain from anti-English media statements, he could not stop himself from doing so in Baria township of Dahod district. Referring to a booklet allegedly brought out by the Congress — Hindu na Kaun — Modi wondered what the English language newspapers would have to write if the BJP had brought out the booklet instead. ‘‘The so-called secular forces and the English media would have gone to town with the news. I just want to see how they would react to the Congress booklet,’’ he said. (ENS) Story continues below this ad

Modi mixed his anti-Congress, anti-Musharraf diatribe with exploitation of Adivasi women in the region.

A chastised Modi, who earlier targeted Congress president Sonia Gandhi, uttered Italy ki Beti only once in Limkheda for her alleged remarks on Godse’s Gujarat in Porbandar.

Addressing a crowd of 2,000 there, Modi come down heavily on the Congress for its alleged anti-Gujarat stand. ‘‘They (Congress) are more interested in the politics of vote,’’ alleged Modi.

Targeting Musharraf, Modi said: ‘‘He sent bhade ke tattu (mercenaries) to attack Akshardham temple, got small children killed there.

But Miyan Musharraf should not test the patience of Gujaratis and desist from such acts,’’ he said. ‘‘With Miyan Musharraf playing with the sentiments of Hindus, Hindu militancy, if it comes about, will wipe Pakistan off the world map,’’ he warned.

As the yatra moved into the interiors of the tribal belts, exploitation of Adivasi womenfolk dominated his speech.

He parroted the same theme at Piplod, Baria, Sagtala, Kevdi, Jogh and Chhotaudepur.

Though the crowds weren’t overwhelming, with gatherings ranging from 2,000 to 5,000, it was the turnout at Baria, a Congress stronghold, which had party leaders smiling. Cashing in on the opportunity, Modi attacked the Congress accusing it of damaging the reputation of the people of the state.