Former Haryana minister Subhash Sudha’s attempt to praise Prime Minister Narendra Modi sparked controversy after he mentioned “Godhra kand” during a public event. The remarks attracted swift criticism from the opposition, leading to a political stir in the state.
Sudha’s Comments Spark Backlash
At a Seva Jyoti Kalash Yatra programme in Kurukshetra on October 7, Subhash Sudha praised PM Modi’s 25 years in public office, including his tenure as Gujarat chief minister. Sudha said, “How he made schemes for Gujarat. How he did Godhra kand, bade-bade kand,” in comments that quickly went viral on social media.
Political Reactions
The video clip provoked an immediate response from opposition leaders. Congress leader and Thanesar MLA Ashok Arora, Sudha’s rival in Thanesar, remarked, “Saara din jhooth bolne walon ki zubaan par bhi kabhi na kabhi to sacchai aa hi jaati hai,” meaning that truth eventually slips out even from habitual liars. The comment clearly targeted Sudha’s statement.
The Congress party has long accused the BJP leadership of misleading the public on the 2002 Godhra riots, which adds to the sensitivity of Sudha’s words.
Sudha Defends His Statement
In a press conference on Saturday, Sudha said his statement had been twisted and distorted by the opposition. He said he would ensure an investigation and take “strictest action” on the misuse of his words.
During the conference, Sudha reiterated his praise for the prime minister’s work on national development and religion. He provocatively stated, “Unhone jo kaam kiye, vipaksh ka baap bhi woh kaam nahi kar sakta tha.” (The work he has done, Opposition could never have done.)
Development Works Highlighted
Sudha listed major government initiatives under PM Modi’s leadership, including Jan Dhan, Swachh Bharat, Ayushman Bharat, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and the Jal Jeevan Mission. He highlighted infrastructure development such as highways, railways, and places of worship renovations, including the revival of Kurukshetra’s Brahma Sarovar and work at Somnath.
He criticised the opposition for not recognizing these development efforts and emphasised that his region had benefited from the prime minister’s schemes.
Background and Political Rivalry
Subhash Sudha won the Thanesar assembly seat twice on a BJP ticket, in 2014 and 2019, defeating Ashok Arora, who ran as an INLD candidate in 2014 and as a Congress candidate in 2019. However, in 2024, Arora defeated Sudha.
Sudha became Minister of State (Independent Charge) in March 2024 in the Nayab Saini government, following a leadership change in the Haryana state government.
Attempts to Contact Sudha
ThePrint reached out to Subhash Sudha through calls and WhatsApp messages for comments on his statement, but received no response at the time of reporting.
