Ahmedabad, Sept 17: The Gujarat government today sought to downplay the caustic observations of the Supreme Court following its appeal in the Best Bakery case with Chief Minister Narendra Modi remaining non-committal on the questions raised on the `raj dharma' of his government. In an informal chat with reporters, Modi, who completed 53 years today, refused to comment when asked for reaction on the apex court's questioning of `raj dharma', referring to protection of people and punishing the guilty.

Pursuing the state government's appeal in Best Bakery case, the Supreme Court, on September 12, had observed that the state government should quit if it cannot punish the rioters and also questioned its `raj dharma'. However, Minister of State for Home Amit Shah claimed that the court had no harsh words for Gujarat Police and said the state government has to only act on the "written order" of the court.

"The SC has not criticised the role of Gujarat Police and as per the written order, the state chief secretary and the DGP have been summoned", Shah merely said, to a volley of questions from reporters. On other issues, Modi said the state government would soon announce its policy for industrial, tourism and mines and minerals.

He said that Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani would unveil the oil painting of veteran freedom fighter Sardarsinh Rana at the latter's native Veraval town on September 25.

Bureau Report