Peace, harmony and unity: Narendra Modi to fast for three days

NEW DELHI: Day after the Supreme Court verdict in Gulbarga Society riot case, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi hit out at his detractors for defaming him for the 2002 riots and announced he would undertake a three-day fast for peace, harmony and unity in his state."One thing is apparent from theSupreme Court's judgment. The unhealthy environment created by the unfounded andfalse 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 defameme and the state of Gujarat," Modi said in an open letter to Gujaratpeople.The controversial chief minister, who is increasingly beingseen as BJP's poster boy who could play a larger role in national politics inthe run up to 2014 Lok Sabha polls, insisted those defaming him could nottolerate any positive development of Gujarat.He charged these peoplehave not left any stone unturned to defame his state."It isdifficult to say whether this campaign of defamation will stop even after thejudgment of the Supreme Court. But one thing is certain that the credibility ofthose who have been spreading lies and defaming Gujarat has come to its lowestebb. The people of this country will not trust such elements anymore," he saidin a letter.Modi said that as part of his responsibility tostrengthen social harmony and brotherhood, he is planning to start a movementcalled "Sadbhavana Mission"."As part of this Sadbhavana Mission, Ihave resolved to fast for three days from Saturday, 17th September 2011. My fastwill conclude on 19th September. I deeply believe that this fast will furtherstrengthen Gujarat's environment of peace, unity and harmony," Modi said.