BJP MP Chandan Mitra has done the right thing in the end by expressing public regret for saying nasty things about Prof. Amartya Sen, the Nobel Laureate who was conferred the Bharat Ratna by the Vajpayee government.
Merely because Dr Sen said that as an Indian citizen he was uncomfortable with the idea of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi becoming Prime Minister in view of Mr Modi’s lack of concern for the minorities, Dr Mitra flew into a rage and said that the next NDA government should take back the Bharat Ratna from the economist.
This was not worthy of the MP. His party also appeared not to endorse his outburst. The commotion caused was more than a storm in a teacup, though. It really symbolised explosive devices being set off by protagonists of virulently opposed ideologies. Dr Sen is an unreconstructed secularist. He holds dear the rights of minorities, and regards it his duty as a citizen to speak up for them. Dr Mitra would naturally like the BJP back in power and deems Mr Modi the party’s best bet. He may worry that the criticism by an internationally influential figure may carry electoral impact.
It was also extraordinary to hear many say that Dr Sen should stick to economics and that a Bharat Ratna awardee should remain mum. Why? Every Indian has the freedom to his/her opinion, and has the right to express it — in words and through the ballot. Should only politicians comment on other politicians?