New Delhi: As exit polls predicted his win in the Lok Sabha elections, Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi reiterated his commitment to peace. Taking to Twitter on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, Modi wrote, "We pledge our commitment to world peace, non-violence and service to humankind, ideals that were very close to Lord Buddha."
Modi had built his 2014 campaign around the planks of development and inclusive politics. He had accused the Congress of playing vote-bank politics and appeasing the minorities.
"I don't appease anyone. I won't wear a skullcap just to appease a certain section of society," he had said in a TV interview. But, he added, he won't spare anyone attacking or targeting the people - whether majority or minority - unjustly. "If anyone touches my Muslim brother or sister, I won't be sitting idle," he had said.
Shortly after Modi's tweet, BJP president Rajnath Singh also tweeted his wishes. "Good wishes to all on the occasion of 'Buddh Purnima' today. Bhagwan Buddha's message is still very relevant in the modern times. The world today needs to take a cue from the life of Lord Buddha and his teachings to bring peace, stability and a better future," he wrote.
The tweets are significant as they mark a break from the traditional Hindutva politics of the BJP, which is marked by an aggressive attitude towards minorities. They are also significant as they mark a move towards an all-encompassing, inclusive politics, that doesn't differentiate in the name of religion.
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