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Jashodaben: India PM Narendra Modi's estranged wife airs safety concerns | Jashodaben: India PM Narendra Modi's estranged wife airs safety concerns |
(35 minutes later) | |
The estranged wife of Indian PM Narendra Modi has raised concerns about her safety and asked for information about arrangements for her security. | |
Jashodaben, a retired school teacher, filed a Right to Information (RTI) application to the state government in Gujarat where she lives. | Jashodaben, a retired school teacher, filed a Right to Information (RTI) application to the state government in Gujarat where she lives. |
In April, Mr Modi for the first time publicly admitted that he was married in his election nomination papers. | In April, Mr Modi for the first time publicly admitted that he was married in his election nomination papers. |
They married when they were 17, but the couple have lived apart for years. | They married when they were 17, but the couple have lived apart for years. |
He has always avoided questions on his personal life amid suggestions he wished to appear celibate to appeal to his core Hindu nationalist voter base. | He has always avoided questions on his personal life amid suggestions he wished to appear celibate to appeal to his core Hindu nationalist voter base. |
Soon after Mr Modi's spectacular win in this summer's general elections, Jashodaben was provided round-the-clock security. | Soon after Mr Modi's spectacular win in this summer's general elections, Jashodaben was provided round-the-clock security. |
"I am the wife of the honourable prime minister of India," she wrote in her RTI application filed before the authorities in Mehsana district where she lives with her brother. | "I am the wife of the honourable prime minister of India," she wrote in her RTI application filed before the authorities in Mehsana district where she lives with her brother. |
"I would like to know under what provisions of the law and the constitution of India am I being provided protection? As wife of the prime minister what are the other benefits I am entitled to?" she asked. | "I would like to know under what provisions of the law and the constitution of India am I being provided protection? As wife of the prime minister what are the other benefits I am entitled to?" she asked. |
Jashodaben says she travels by "public transport while my security personnel travel in official vehicles". | Jashodaben says she travels by "public transport while my security personnel travel in official vehicles". |
"Given that former prime minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her security guards, I am frightened by the presence of the security cover. So kindly provide me all details about the security personnel provided to me," her application states. | "Given that former prime minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her security guards, I am frightened by the presence of the security cover. So kindly provide me all details about the security personnel provided to me," her application states. |
In an interview to The Indian Express earlier this year, Jashodaben said she lived on a monthly pension of 14,000 rupees ($232; £138). | In an interview to The Indian Express earlier this year, Jashodaben said she lived on a monthly pension of 14,000 rupees ($232; £138). |
She said Mr Modi had left her after three years, during which they spent some three months together and that they had parted amicably. | She said Mr Modi had left her after three years, during which they spent some three months together and that they had parted amicably. |
Critics have long accused Mr Modi of deserting his wife after he joined the Hindu nationalist organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which prizes celibacy. | Critics have long accused Mr Modi of deserting his wife after he joined the Hindu nationalist organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which prizes celibacy. |
They say the fact that he has refused to acknowledge her for so long provides clues about his attitude to women. | They say the fact that he has refused to acknowledge her for so long provides clues about his attitude to women. |