Modi fans brush off political criticism
“He’s such an inspirational person — so energetic,” Verma said. “His focus is on development and nothing else. That’s what a country wants.”
Throughout the night, packed bleachers erupted in sporadic chants of “Modi! Modi!” as the crowd — as fans at a rock concert might — urged the prime minister to emerge.
Modi, leader of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, has been a divisive figure in India, where he has faced criticism for failing to sufficiently protect the rights of religious minorities.
The PM has faced particular heat over his role in the interdenominational riots that shook Gujarat province in 2002, killing about 1,000, mostly Muslims. Modi was the province’s chief minister at the time, and some say he could have done more to prevent the bloodshed.
India’s Supreme Court has since cleared him of any wrongdoing in the massacres, though the taint of the incident kept Canada from issuing him a visa until last year.
Some Indo-Canadians have objected to Modi’s visit. The group Sikhs for Justice called on Tuesday for the prime minister’s indictment on charges related to the 2002 riots.
Outside the Ricoh Coliseum on Wednesday, Joyce Almeida, a Christian who moved here from Maharashtra five years ago, stood with a handful of protesters. “We Christians in India are a minority and we’re not being protected,” she said.
Others in attendance brushed off the criticism of Modi’s minority rights record. “I’m not a minority, so I favour him,” said Avinash Bhan.
“He’s not a politician who only appeals to specific interests,” said Krishna Mynampati, who came to Canada from Hyderabad 31⁄ years
2 ago and now lives in Mississauga. “In a country of 1.2 billion, you can’t please everyone . . . I think he shouldn’t be seen through the coloured glass of what 20 or 30 thousand people think.”
Modi’s prestige also rests largely on his premiership of Gujarat, a relatively industrialized part of India that Modi is thought to have made more business-friendly and prosperous in his 12 years of rule there.
An estimated 300,000 Gujaratis live in Canada, out of an Indo-Canadian community of 1.2 million.
Het Patel, 23, immigrated to Canada from the western Indian province five years ago. He praised Modi’s economic record in Gujarat.
“He gave us 24-hour electricity,” said Patel, who was seeing Modi speak in person for the first time.
“He’s the prime minister of India, so it’s a great pride for us.”
Introducing his Indian counterpart as “a young boy with humble roots and a devout spirit” who grew up to lead the world’s largest democracy, Prime Minister Stephen Harper ceded the stage to Modi, setting off raucous cheers.
Modi began his remarks by focusing on the success of the Indian community in Canada, crediting them with making “a significant contribution towards enhancing the glory of India.
“Each and every citizen of Canada takes pride towards you and respects you,” he told the crowd.
Modi received rapturous applause and hoots of approval throughout his speech — with the exception of one line. “Tomorrow I leave,” he announced. For the first and only time of the night, Modi paused, and his audience booed.
“In a country of 1.2 billion, you can’t please everyone . . . I think he shouldn’t be seen through the coloured glass of what 20 or 30 thousand people think.” KRISHNA MYNAMPATI WHO CAME TO CANADA FROM HYDERABAD 31⁄ 2 YEARS AGO