NEW DELHI, Nov. 24. —The Confederation of Indian Industries was in for a major embarrassment today when Gujarat chief minister Mr Narendra Modi, invited to deliver a lecture, was greeted by a group of protestors shouting slogans against him and the CII.
Nearly 25 protesters from an NGO, Anhad (Act Now for Harmony and Democracy), barged into the conference organised by the CII and World Economic Forum (WEF), shouting anti-Modi and anti-globalisation slogans.
In the 45 minute protest Mr Modi was compared to Hitler. “Would you invite Hitler? Then Why Modi?” read a placard, while another said: “Shame on Corporates for Inviting Narendra Modi”.
Led by Sahmat’s Shabnam Hashmi and activist Nafisa Ali, they said “Fascist Modi down down”, “WEF-CII shame for inviting Modi to address a seminar on economy when he has destroyed the economy of Gujarat.” “Modi should be sent to jail,” they said.
The protest was also against globalisation and liberalisation. “Market economy down down”, they said before being dispersed by the police.
The Gujarat chief minister was here on the summit’s second day to address the session on “Competitiveness of Indian States”. After a confrontation with Mr Modi during a conference here last year, the CII had made up with him.
Even as NGOs protested Mr Modi’s presence at the India Economic Summit here, he asserted that the minorities in his state were protected and the law and order situation was the best among Indian states. “Even if you compare any city of Gujarat with Bangalore or other major cities of the country, you will find cities of the state have less law and order problems,” Mr Modi said.
“Minorities are best protected in the state and Muslims have the highest per capita income in Gujarat,” Mr Modi said expressing concern over the events of the past two years. He also said the Parsis — the smallest minority in the country — are the richest community.
“Whatever has happened in the state is past. It should not be repeated and I would ensure that such incidents do not take place again,” he remarked when asked about the developments in the state
Despite the past events, the state received investment proposals involving Rs 66,000 crore during the last Navratri festival, he said.
“After the festival, Chinese, US and Canadian companies have also entered into MoUs with the state,” he said.