The Hindu : `Cong. adopting double standards on ordinance'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 28, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

`Cong. adopting double standards on ordinance'

By Our Special Correspondent

Chennai Oct. 27. The BJP president, Venkaiah Naidu, today asserted that `Hindu' was a "respectable word" and cannot not be spoken of in "derogatory terms".

The BJP leader's remarks at a party function here comes after his ally and DMK president, M.Karunanidhi's controversial remark on Hindus recently.

"Hindu refers to a culture, a way of life ... If some make derogatory remarks against Hindus, I leave it to them to decide," he said.

However, later, he told the media that he would not wish to comment on Mr.Karunanidhi's remarks as the party's State leaders already expressed their views. The BJP's relations with the DMK were "cordial" at the national level, he added.

At the function to formalise the merger of Dravidar Telungar Munnetra Kazhagam with the BJP, Mr.Naidu said, the 2004 Parliamentary elections would be a "turning point" for the nation, and the BJP's goal was to capture at least 300 seats.

Accusing the Congress and other parties of adopting "double standards" with regard to the ordinance banning "forcible conversions" promulgated by the State Government, Mr. Naidu wondered when the Congress-ruled Madhya Pradesh could have such a law, why should not other States have a similar law. "The BJP is for all religions, but will not support conversions by inducements and foul means," he said.

Insisting that conversions would create social disharmony, Mr. Naidu said, "Christians and Muslims are free to practise their religions, but we do not want you to interfere in other religions". Foreign funds were being used for effecting conversions, he added.

Economic scenario

But his party was not for "theocracy" and wanted equal treatment for all religions. The BJP-led NDA Government was keen on making India `economically stronger" and "security-wise stronger" so that it would join the group of "powerful nations", including the U.S. and Japan. During the last three years, foreign exchange reserves went up to $ 62.3 billions and inflation brought under control. As for food production, the country moved from shortage to surplus with India leading in milk production and exporting 150 lakh tonnes of wheat.

The Union Civil Aviation Minister, Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said the BJP was not opposed to the minorities and was committed to communal harmony.

The Union Minister of State for Shipping, S.Thirunavukkarasar, said regardless of whether the party would tie up with the AIADMK or the DMK in future elections, the BJP should strengthen itself in the State, so that only the party which aligned with it won the elections.

The BJP secretary, L.Ganesan, and State president, S.P. Kirubanidhi, participated.

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`Cong. adopting double standards on ordinance'