HINDUTVA - Indian Social Institute

that Pakistan was responsible for rumour mongering and after two days it changed its stand, this is not
right," said Gopal. "Who is the government trying to please? This does not look right. This means that
after finding out the main cause the government diverts the issue, this is not right," he added. Intelligence
agencies have blocked several websites and restricted bulk messages with an aim to thwart the panic
stricken messages and mails. Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Friday said only those social
media accounts, which have posted objectionable and inflammatory content, are being blocked and there
is no need for others to be concerned. Shinde had earlier on Tuesday said there is enough evidence on
elements using social media networking sites to whip up communal sentiments and create scare among
people of northeastern region living across India. Shinde had earlier on August 19 expressed concern to
his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik over the issue of social media-networking sites being misused by
elements based in Pakistan to circulate false pictures and stories to whip up communal sentiments in
India. Shinde, who spoke to Malik over telephone, sought Pakistan's full cooperation in checking and
neutralizing such elements. (Asian Age 27/8/12)
Guj polls: Hindutva out, core issues focus of parties (26)
Ahmedabad: Shunning the Hindutva card, the campaign of the major parties in Gujarat for the
forthcoming Assembly elections this time is centred around issues like water, housing and inflation. The
2002 and 2007 Gujarat elections were held in a charged environment by whipping up communal
sentiments in the backdrop of the 2002 riots and numerous encounter cases, including the Sohrabuddin
Sheikh case which resulted in easy polarisation of votes, Congress office bearers said. "But with the
passage of 10 years post riots and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's 'Sadbhavna' mission softening
his stance towards Muslims have contributed to the fact that Hindutva is not a major issue this time in
state elections," they added. The Congress and Keshubhai Patel's newly formed Gujarat Parivartan Party
(GPP) are of the view that they have a level playing field this time against Modi-led BJP, as the issue of
Hindutva is on the backburner. "Modi has tried to change his colours from what he had projected himself
in 2002. He is now trying to woo Muslims. People have come to know his reality and the emotive issues
will not sway them this time," Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said. After 10 years of good rains,
Gujarat is facing acute water scarcity this year owing to a deficient monsoon in Saurashtra, Kutch and
North Gujarat, which has been compounded by slow paced work of laying canal network for Sardar
Sarovar Narmada Dam project. It has emerged as a major issue prior to the elections. The Congress's
ambitious promise of providing homes to poor and middle class housewives at nominal rates, if it comes
to power, has garnered a huge response (already 50 lakh forms have been distributed) and has brought
to fore the issue of people's aspirations of owning a house when real estate prices have skyrocketed in
the state. "Water, housing, providing medical facility to people, reducing VAT on petrol, diesel and
kerosene and thereby reducing prices, giving full benefits of sixth-pay commission to state government
employees, providing good education are highlighted by Congress as key election issues. We have also
raised our voice against corruption of this government," Doshi said. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata
Party is trying to cash-in on the burning issues of inflation and corruption of the central government.
"Inflation due to mismanagement of the Union government, corruption at the Centre and large scale
discrimination towards Gujarat are the main issues that the BJP has taken up in campaign during the
forthcoming elections," spokesperson Jagdish Bhavsar said. "We will be fighting this election also on the
issue of leadership quality (of Modi), path breaking development carried out by the state government in
the last 10 years and our goal of making Gujarat a developed place so it can be in league with developed
nations of the world,” Bhavsar said. Regarding the Hindutva issue, another BJP leader said, "Party's
policy is well defined by the chief minister who has announced - development for all, appeasement for
none." (Deccan Herald 3/9/12)
Case filed against Raj Thackeray for anti-Biharis remark (26)