British Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor has said those opposed to Narendra Modi’s brand of politics should make their voices heard. “For us Indians there is a kind of permeability between the human and the divine. Let me assure you, Modi is no incarnation of Vishnu. I think it is important to remember that because the political campaign in this election has been conducted in a way that presents him as a demi god,” 60-year-old Kapoor said. He made the remarks in a panel discussion titled ‘Not in Our Name’ organised by the Awaaz Human Rights Network in the House of Commons complex in London on 1 May.
The sculptor, who has been knighted by the Queen for his contribution to arts, also spoke of the attacks from Modi supporters following an open letter against the Gujarat chief minister published in the ‘Guardian’ newspaper which he had co-signed with well-known author Salman Rushdie last month. The letter had warned that it was “crucial to remember the role played by the Modi government in the horrifying events that took place in Gujarat in 2002.”