The New York Times published an editorial criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest addition to the CM list, Uttar Pradesh CM Adityanath Yogi. This did not sit well with the Indians and they questioned the wisdom of NYT. Gopal Baglay, the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson was quoted by the PTI as, “All editorials or opinions are subjective. This case is particularly so. The wisdom in doubting the verdicts of genuine democratic exercises, at home or abroad, is questionable.”
After the UP assembly polls result was declared the news daily published an article, which was in simple terms highly critical and titled ‘Modi’s Perilous Embrace of Hindu Extremists.’ The article said that the PM after 2014 has played “cagey game, appeasing his party’s hard line Hindu base while promoting secular goals of development and economic growth.” It also said that the Party’s decision to appoint ‘firebrand Hindu cleric’ Adityanath as CM is a ‘shocking rebuke’ to the religious minorities in India.
The elevation of the Hindutva leader as UP CM had shocked many liberal thinkers, media and also politicians across the world as they expected the PM to select a neutral face for the party in the highly populous and diverse state. The PM, who constantly has surprises in the store did it again with the selection of Adityanath. Though the decision seemed dangerous in the beginning, the CM’s right decision in the last five days and his decisions of pro-development has earned the trust across all communities. As said, it is too early to judge a person’s ability to run a state based on past actions.
Though people accepted Yogi as a leader, his image as a polarizing figure created problems for him in the State. His decision of putting a blanket ban on the smuggling of cows and their killing, though shocked many, was received well by the people of the State. The ban of ‘pan, pan masala and gutka’ chewing in government office premises was applauded all across the Country. Another move that earned the trust was the ‘Anti-Romeo’ squad to end eve-teasing. In places like Allahabad, Agra, Varanasi and Ghaziabad all the illegally run slaughterhouses have been shut down after the plan to ban all slaughterhouses in the state.
Though the Country was skeptical about his appointment as CM, they have started accepting his decisions and decided that it was too early to judge him as a CM. This editorial was hence questioned by all the people and questioned the wisdom of NYT for judging the CM too early into power.
