The Gujarat government on Thursday swung into damage-control mode after Chief Minister Narendra Modi reportedly referred to Maoists as 'our own people' at a function in Aligarh. Modi also suggested that a dialogue should be held to end the violence perpetrated by the Left-wing extremists, which is in sharp contrast to his party's rhetoric of taking strong action against the Maoists.
Modi reportedly exhorted the Maoists to give up violence and resolve issues through talks, but some TV channels claimed that the Gujarat CM had asked the Centre to hold talks with them and expressed his opposition to the use of security forces to rein in the extremists.
The Gujarat government hastily issued a statement claiming Modi did not suggest anything about the issue to the Centre and never said anything on the matter.
According to the press note, Modi was replying to a question by a student at a meeting in Mangalayatan University of Aligarh, who asked him what his message was for youths resorting to violence in the name of Maoism. Modi -- claimed the statement --said that the youth should abjure violence and try to find a solution to their issues through dialogue.
However, a video clip made available to this correspondent by a source in Aligarh quotes Modi as stating, "Hamare apne hi logon ko samjhana hoga ki hinsa samasya ka samadhan nahi. Samvidhan ki maryadaon me rahkar shashtron ko chhod de kyunki baatchit ka rasta hi samadhan ka rasta hai." (Our own people will have to be convinced that violence is not a solution to problems. Within the purview of the Constitution, they should give up arms because dialogue is the only way to a solution.)
The press note reaffirms that Modi is towing along the party's line over the issue -- that the Centre and state governments should not surrender before violence but take the sternest action.
"Stern action is warranted against those killing innocent citizens, so as to remove the violent mentality from its roots," the press note added, quoting Modi.
