In a statement interpreted as his first sign of regret over the 2002 post-Godhra violence, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi Friday said the pain of anyone in the state is "my pain" and he had a duty to do justice for everyone.
"Constitution of India is supreme for us. As a Chief Minister of the state, pain of anybody in the state is my pain. (Delivering) Justice to everyone is the duty of the state," Modi said on the eve of his three-day fast.
Modi's remarks are being interpreted as his first ever expression of regret over the post-Godhra communal riots in which more than 1,200 people, mostly Muslims, were killed. He has been severely criticised for not expressing any remorse over the killings since 2002.
His detractors have always cited the remarks of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee that Modi should follow "rajdharma" and he had failed to do this.
In a letter to the people of this country, Modi in an attempt to reach out to the minority community, said the state has realised that communal frenzy and casteism never helped anybody grow in the country and expressed "gratitude" to those who pointed out his mistakes in the last 10 years.
The chief minister is going on a three-day fast from tomorrow -- his 62nd birthday -- for "peace, unity and harmony" in the state.
"I hope Sadbhavna Mission launched by me will be a success by your blessings," Modi said in the letter.
"Gujarat had the worst earthquake in 2001 and was engulfed in communal riots in 2002. We can imagine that those were the worst days," Modi said.
"Gujarat has come out of those dark days and is progressing on the path of development. The later atmosphere of peace, unity, harmony and brotherhood has fuelled the growth of Gujarat," Modi said.
The Chief Minister, who has been accused of inaction during the communal riots, said the poison of casteism and communal frenzy have never helped anybody.
"In the history of the country, it has been witnessed that poison of casteism and communal frenzy have never helped anybody. Gujarat has understood this. Rising above such perversions of social and national life, Gujarat has chosen the road of progress," he said.
"My heartfelt thanks to those who have shown my true mistakes in the last ten years when I have been the Chief Minister."
Modi's announcement of fast has evoked criticism from opposition Congress, which has dubbed it as a "gimmick", and activists such as Mallika Sarabhai.
"No people or state can claim that they are 100 per cent better. Please give me your blessings that we can address our shortcomings and serve the people better. We should be able to help Gujarat progress for the progress of India," the letter said.
