People should respond to BJP’s choice of UP CM: Historian Noorani

NEW DELHI:Eminent historian and lawyer AG Noorani today slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party over the elevation of Hindu hardliner Yogi Adityanath as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, saying it is for people to strongly respond to it.

Renowned lawyer, author and historian A.G. Noorani delivering the lecture on 'The trial of Bhagat Singh and his relevance today' at Delhi Assembly on Thursday. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also present. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 23

Eminent historian and lawyer AG Noorani today slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party over the elevation of Hindu hardliner Yogi Adityanath as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, saying it is for people to strongly respond to it.

Referring to the PM, whom he accused of indulging in “communal politics”, the 86-year-old author said when “power goes into the head” of anyone due to absolute majority in elections, people have to respond.

“The communal tenor spreading fast in the prevailing times is dangerous. They (BJP) have come to power with absolute electorate mandate. A saint was made the Chief Minister. They want to send a message that they will do what they want to because they have absolute majority. Power gets into the head. But people will have to respond to them with the message of Bhagat Singh," Noorani said.

Strong remarks came from the historian while he was responding to questions after a lecture on 'The trial of Bhagat Singh and his relevance today' as part of Delhi Assembly Lecture Series to mark the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev at Old Delhi Secretariat.

Noorani also drew parallels when he recalled the times of former Prime Ministers India Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi who had won by massive margins in elections and noted “power also went to their heads”.

“All passed through my eyes. Whoever gets majority, power goes to their head. The Prime Minister, who is riding high due to absolute majority, is indulging in communal politics,” he said.