Ahmedabad:
In a counter to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's proposed three-day fast from Saturday, the Congress today announced to launch a fast on the very same day with senior party leader Shankersingh Vaghela leading the charge.
Mr Vaghela along with senior party leaders from the state will fast at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad.
Mr Modi had, on Tuesday, announced his three-day fast - named the 'Sadbhavana Mission' - to strengthen the state's "peace, unity and harmony". The fast coincides with the chief minister's birthday.
In an open letter to announce the launch of his 'Sadbhavana mission', Mr Modi had referred to the Supreme Court's verdict delivered on Monday that had been hailed by him and his party, the BJP, as a vindication of their stand. Three Supreme Court judges did not take a position on whether there was enough evidence to merit Mr Modi's trial for his alleged role in the Gujarat riots of 2002, when 200 people were killed, most of them Muslims. The Supreme Court has said it's up to a trial court in Gujarat to study the evidence and charges against Mr Modi. Zakia Jafri, whose husband and former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri was set on fire during the riots, has accused the Chief Minister of ensuring assistance was not provided to those being attacked.
In his latter, Mr Modi said, "One thing is apparent from the Supreme Court's judgment - the unhealthy environment created by the unfounded and false allegations made against me and Government of Gujarat, after 2002 riots, has come to an end. For the past ten years, it has become fashionable to defame me and the state of Gujarat...But one thing is certain...that the credibility of those who have been spreading lies and defaming Gujarat has come to its lowest ebb." (
Read Narendra Modi's letter)
Mr Modi also wrote, "After 2002, Gujarat has not spared any effort to march towards peace, harmony and progress even amidst false propaganda, lies, conspiracies and allegations...I humbly submit before you that, as part of this responsibility to strengthen social harmony and brotherhood, I am thinking of starting a movement of "Sadbhavana Mission.... I have resolved to fast for three days from Saturday, the 17th September 2011. My fast will conclude on 19th September. I deeply believe that this fast will further strengthen Gujarat's environment of peace, unity and harmony."