Narendra Modi`s latest fan – Swami Agnivesh

Zee Media Bureau/Ajith Vijay Kumar

New Delhi: From ranting “Narendra Modi can never become PM because of his role in the 2002 riots” to wishing him “good luck in the elections”, trust Swami Agnivesh to go in the direction in which the wind appears to be blowing.

The social activist has written an open letter to Modi in which he has congratulated Modi for the manner in which he handled the likes of Togadia and praised his poll plank of development and good governance.

Agnivesh wrote: “Dear Narendra Bhai Modi, I congratulate you for your prompt distancing from the unsavoury and outright stupid remarks of Pravin Togadia, Giriraj Singh, Shiv Sena leader Giriraj Kadam and others. I have also been appreciative of your clear non-approval of such opportunistic bigots who time and again try to hijack your plank of development, good governance and inclusiveness towards polarization on the basis of religion and caste.”

Swami Agnivesh was a key member of `Team Anna` before he was sidelined by the group because of their suspicion that he was a "government mole". He has since then been virtually off the radar. And, now he has made a comeback with dollops of praise for the man who, most pre-poll surveys, claim will make it to the prime minister`s chair on May 16.

“It was refreshing to listen to your speeches and interviews during your election campaign, where you have relentlessly attacked communal politics and casteism,” Agnivesh wrote.

“It is important that the true spirit of Hindus which is compassionate and inclusive development must be brought to the fore and elements like Togadia should be marginalized and condemned publicly. It is these elements who have been conspiring towards sematization of our kaleidoscopic and diverse Hindu culture and this is the greatest threat to Sanatan Dharma. I have always believed in these tenets of Sanatan Dharma and have stood by them all times – that`s why I was a severe critic of Gujarat riots,” Agnivesh wrote in an apparent bid to clarify his earlier hard stand against Modi.

In 2012, Agnivesh had said, “Modi can never become PM because of his role in the riots. Modi’s Sadbhavna fast mission for promoting communal harmony was a drama and stunt.” He had also slammed Modi`s development initiatives in Gujarat. "It is based on the western model of development and will lead to destruction. Even the West is moving away from it," he had said.

In his letter, Agnivesh says, “But I have noticed a shift in BJP`s and your own ideology – be it demolition of illegal temples and mosques in Gujarat, for which you drew a vociferous flak from sectarian organizations like VHP or your steering of the political debate towards development and good governance.”

Agnivesh also congratulated Modi for his crusade against `pink revolution` and alcoholism and even refereed to Mahatma Gandhi to stress the point. “Even Gandhi ji had declared that if he were to become the dictator of India even for a day, the first thing he would do is ban all alcohol shops and cow slaughter,” he said.

“Unfortunately your views on the issues are being twisted by the so called progressive and the vested interest by giving the communal colour. I hope you will continue to pro-actively crusade against these social evils that plague of society.”