Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah on Friday said Narendra Modi was the most criticised prime minister since Independence, The Indian Express reported. At the India Idea Conclave in Canacona, Goa, Shah said the Modi government’s efforts to work “with an idea of inclusiveness and development in every sphere” were being hampered by continued dissent.
He further said that “prolonged dissent” would divide the country and that speaking “against the country” citing freedom of expression would not be tolerated. “Criticism is welcome and it should be tolerated. But if someone goes beyond that and targets the country, it cannot be pardoned,” he said, according to PTI.
The BJP president added that the “purpose of democracy” was to ensure “that development reaches the last man in society”. “However, if dissent continues unwarrantedly, there can be no development.” Shah’s remarks on criticism of the prime minister echo those of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who in December 2015 said that Modi was the biggest victim of intolerance in the country.
His remarks come soon after the Centre has faced criticism for taking news channel NDTV India off air for a day, for reportedly broadcasting sensitive information during the Pathankot terror attack.
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