Modi govt issues its writ to make Sadbhavana show a hit

A Government Resolution (GR) issued on November 1 by the General Administration Department (GAD) directs collectors and DDOs to take these fast programmes to the official level by involving panchayats,roads and buildings and the publicity departments of the state government to ensure maximum turnout and publicity.

The GR,titled “District Sadbhavana Mission Implementation Matter” and issued by the GAD’s protocol division,also lists do’s and don’ts.

There will be a swagat (welcome) committee headed by the district’s in-charge minister — every minister has been assigned a district to create a public-government interface — in which senior officials,leaders of different religious groups and leading personalities will be members,the GR decrees.

At the taluka level,prant officers will form such committees. These committees,both at the district Modi govt issues its writ to make Sadbhavana show a hit

and taluka levels,have been asked to ensure that people turn out in large numbers at Sadbhavana fast venues and greet Modi.

“The roads and buildings department will provide the logistic support while the state information department will ensure maximum positive publicity of the event,” the GR says.

Even the pro-forma of the resolutions to be passed by village panchayats is being decided by the state government. A senior GAD official said,”All panchayats will be given a pro-forma shortly for resolutions regarding the Sadbhavana Mission fasts. Panchayats will pass these to Gram Sabhas and the DDOs will collect and send the same to the President and Governor,with an English translation.”

When contacted,R M Patel,additional chief secretary (panchayat development),refused to comment.

Modi began his Sadbhavana Mission fasts for unity and brotherhood in Ahmedabad on his birthday on September 17 this year. The three-day fast hit the national headlines and the CM later decided to hold similar one-day fasts at venues across the state.

However,local organisers have been asked to avoid incidents such as one in Ahmedabad in which a Muslim cleric came on the stage to present Modi a skullcap,only to be disappointed,or the one in Navsari,where the CM was offered a kaffiyeh which he refused.

The local-level officials and BJP functionaries have been asked to screen every person who goes to meet Modi on the state.