Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long been facing criticism that he has failed to reign in those in the BJP and the Sangh Parivar who make religious extremist comments. Speaking in the context of the upcoming UP election, when asked if the communal elements of his party will trump his development agenda, PM Modi responded during his interview to Arnab Goswami that he is convinced that the development agenda will continue.
When asked about those who continue to make such statements, here is what he had to say.
ARNAB: So the hot heads who make extreme comments, is there a necessity to control them? So that there is no politics in the name of religion
PM MODI: Firstly, I am of the firm belief that the nation should progress on the issue of development. And it is necessary that the country moves forward on the issue of development. I would like to tell the media not to make heroes out of those people who make such comments.
ARNAB: But they keep making such comments
PM MODI: Don't make them heroes, they will stop
ARNAB: We don't make them heroes, we make them villains.
PM MODI: But why do you make them so big? I see such statements by people on TV, whose faces I haven't even seen and they end up becoming spokesmen on TV
ARNAB: Self-styled spokesmen
PM MODI: I don't know why such people are encouraged