Now, Narendra Modi refuses scarf by a Muslim

Controversy seems to follow every Sadbhavna fast of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. This time, it was Modi’s refusal to accept a large scarf  (keffiyeh) given to him by a Muslim in Navsari.

The chief minister is undertaking a Sadbhavna fast in the district.
It should be noted that earlier Modi’s Sadbhavna fast in Ahmedabad had come under criticism after the chief minister refused to wear a skull cap offered by an Imam. In the Thursday incident, one Mohammed Ismail Fadia, a resident of Simnas village offered to place the scarf around Modi’s shoulders. But he was prevented from doing so. Later Fadia offered it to the chief minister, but in the second instance also he was prevented from doing so.

When media persons present at the venue began commenting on the same, the government issued a clarification in the matter. The incident took place soon after Modi finished his speech at 2:30 in the afternoon. As people moved towards the hall to have lunch, Fadia 50, jumped towards the stage. He directly went to Modi and tried to offer the black coloured scarf. A surprised Modi welcomed Fadia, but when he tried to place the scarf on his shoulders, he was prevented from doing so by the chief minister. Fadia then tried to give the scarf to Modi who did not accept it. To prevent any further attempts, security officials forced Fadia to come down from the stage. Fadia was later taken back-stage and moved to a separate place.    

The entire incident was recorded by the media which aired it immediately. The administration soon issued a clarification in Fadia's name. In the clarification issued by the government, Fadia claimed that reports about the chief minister's refusal to accept the scarf was wrong and it was a 'false news' spread by the media. "I am a small worker of the BJP and associated with the party for past few years. When Modi came to Navsari, I decided to greet him for his work. When I went on stage, I had the scarf in my hand but it was not meant for the chief minister. I never expressed a desire or asked Modi to wear it or accept it. The news is completely baseless and false," the statement said. Sources said that Fadia is a farmer and is in the cattle business. He came in contact with local party leaders and works for the BJP.