Modi must answer Bajaj

Captains of industry know, more than most, that investments flow to regions that are secure, where communities are well-knitted together, an...

Captains of industry know, more than most, that investments flow to regions that are secure, where communities are well-knitted together, and where settled conditions exist for every individual to achieve his or her full potential. It was this point that industrialist Rahul Bajaj was attempting to drive home, when he stated at a Confederation of Indian Industry meeting on Thursday, that it is not just the lack of infrastructure but also a sense of insecurity that has resulted in states like Kashmir, UP, Bihar and some northeastern states from attracting investments. He then wanted to know from Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi whether he could ensure that the events of 2002 8212; a year he characterised as a 8216;lost8217; one for Gujarat 8212; would not be repeated. His was not the only voice of concern. Another well-known industrialist, Jamshyd Godrej, wished to know what Modi stood for because industrialists too have their 8216;own views on what is good for our society and works for it8217;.

Modi, characteristically, chose to answer these very legitimate observations with a display of finger-wagging, sharp words and bad temper. He is possibly under the illusion that his impressive electoral win last December is sufficient testimony to his administrative abilities and certainly his arrogance can be traced to that famous win. Perhaps Modi also believes that a little amnesia never hurt anyone, but to pretend that the social impact of last year8217;s widespread communal carnage is no longer a factor to contend with, would be an insult to our intelligence. Modi may, as he claims, turn red tape into a red carpet, but he cannot tuck away a disturbing reality under it. So polarised is the state now, that incidents which in other states would have died down quickly, have the potential of growing into street battles with a disturbing communal edge. If Modi believes that this state of affairs should be of no concern to those who have the highest stake in choosing the right investment destination since it involves their own money, he is either being naive or disingenuous.

Therefore, before the Gujarat chief minister attempts to take on the 8216;pseudo-secular friends8217; of industrialists in a debate; before he sallies forth to sell his state as 8216;sunshine8217; destination, he should seriously attempt to bring that much promised healing touch to Gujarat8217;s five crore, all of them. He will find this impossible to achieve if those responsible for the communal carnage are allowed to walk free, as they evidently still are doing. Establishing normalcy in the state would also require rebuilding people8217;s faith in the impartiality of state institutions8212;and in each other.