Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Center at a public function on Saturday over its decision to allot 4.5 percent of reservation to the minority from the 27% quota for the Baxi Panch, terming it as "afflictive for the socially and educationally backward class people."
Modi felicitated 10 dignitaries and 21 other people who contributed for the upliftment of the Raval community on Saturday atGandhinagar Gujarat.
While talking at convention of Raval Yogi Community function, he said that by causing pain to the backward classes people the Central government would not be able to enjoy power for long.
Meanwhile, he also released a book 'Aapno Raval Samaj' on the occasion.
In the function that belongsto Gujarat's Baxi Panch, he appreciated the efforts that made for the development of Raval society. He also noted that teachers from Raval community own lion's share in his growth as they shaped his life.
Narendra Modi has been praised for the governance he has put in place in Gujarat. He has the image of heading an exemplary government, given the development efforts made across the state.
Early last month, Modi was featured on the cover of Time magazine, praising his work in building a "vibrant" Gujarat, which had borne the brunt of worst communal violence in the history of India.
And in an online survey, Time nominated Modi among the 100 most influential people around the world, giving him another shot in the arm. It was hailed as a victory for the Modi camp.
However, it was just a matter of time before Modi and his supporters saw the Gujarat Chief Minister securing more "Nos" in Time survey.
Modi has been relentlessly taking steps to wipe out the blot of post-Godhra riots from his political profile. However, it seems to haunt him without affecting his Chief Ministership.
The subsequent communal clashes and massacre in Gujarat, in 2002, occurred after 58 pilgrims in the S6 compartment of the Sabarmati Express train at Godhra railway station, returning from Ayodhya, were burnt to death. This was touted as a pre-conceived conspiracy and led to stirring up of violence between the Hindus and the Muslims.
After the news of the Godhra train carnage broke out, thousands of people were killed and several places of worship and public properties were damaged by unruly mobs. The nature of this violence still remains politically controversial.
