Even as Mumbai gears up for the Lok Sabha elections, the principal of one of city's premier institute St Xavier's College has raised a furore over a letter addressed to his students. The college, known for its history of liberal stance, put out an email to over 1000 students openly criticising the BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, as the Gujarat's development model.

Some professors and activists have described the message as "politically motivated", particularly since it was issued just two days before polling day in the city.

However, many staff members remained loyal to the head of the college. "I am proud of Father Frazer's brave stand against the communal and divisive forces that are threatening the future of India. He makes many valid points especially about Gujarat's less than admirable human development performance in the last decade," said Kabira Namit, development economist and former visiting faculty at the college. "But ultimately, it is the moral argument that Gandhi's India should listen to- barely half a decade after winning independence and laying the foundation of independent secular India, are we ready to hand the reins to a fascist leader?" questions Namit, who is also an alumni of the institute.

The letter has received a strong contradictory response across social media platforms, with people condeming his actions as unethical and biased, while others upholding his freedoms of speech and expressions.

Impressive&thoughtful letter byPrincipal of StXavier'sCollege Mumbai to young voters: starts on http://t.co/QOydyoYBdQ &continues. Must read — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) April 23, 2014

This is the last paragraph of Xaviers' Principal's letter. Judge for yourself if he has said anything wrong : pic.twitter.com/BpWF7VnMJw April 23, 2014

Important to note that the Xaviers' principal's letter ends with "Choose Well". Doesn't read like a missive, more like an argument. — Rohan Joshi (@mojorojo) April 23, 2014

Xaviers principal letter is not abt freedom of expression. It's abt a teacher misusing his position & trying to influence students. — Joyeeta Basu (@eeta) April 23, 2014

Vote for this party or that is not part of any curriculum. Xaviers principal should join a political party and then preach. — Joyeeta Basu (@eeta) April 23, 2014

1/2:Lies & college principal statistics - St Xaviers Mascrenhas, a development "'scholar" "all the Guj human development index indicators" — Surjit Bhalla (@surjitbhalla) April 23, 2014

2/2: Can St. Xaviers Mascrenhas document his contention that Gujarat social indicators have performed terribly; just 1 indicator, please? — Surjit Bhalla (@surjitbhalla) April 23, 2014

I dont get the issue being made about Xaviers' principal's letter. He simply stated what he felt. You & me do that everyday on twitter! — Toffee wali Eesha (@eesha_punny) April 23, 2014

That the principal of Xaviers has considerably more influence than you&me, is another matter. In that case why no outrage when celebs do it? — Toffee wali Eesha (@eesha_punny) April 23, 2014

What an idiot the principal of Xaviers Mumbai. He has made his school political battle ground instead of it being a neutral educational inst — Shankara (@Sshankara) April 23, 2014

Xaviers principal trying to manipulate the first time voters of its college. Oh so college is acting on behalf of news channels. #HDL — ॐ #HDL ॐ (@HinduYoddha) April 23, 2014

Read the full text of Fr Frazer Mascarenhas's letter to students to judge for yourself and tell whether you think it was unethical:

The approaching elections have brought an interesting discussion to the public forum on what constitutes human development and how it is to be achieved. The Gujarat model has been highlighted for our consideration. That is very apt because it puts in stark contrast two current views. Is the growth of big business, the making of huge profits, the achievement of high production - what we seek? Or is it the quality of life for the majority in terms of affordable basic goods and services and the freedom to take forward the cultural aspirations of our plural social groups that make up India?

Gujarat may be doing well in the first sense, although not as good as some other States in the country. But all the Human Development Index indicators and the cultural polarization of the population show that Gujarat has had a terrible experience in the last 10 years. Take the example of education: schools for the ordinary populace show abject neglect with a very high dropout rate in the last 10 years. Higher Education has not been allowed to move forward. To take just an example, St. Xavier's College Ahmedabad, thrice NAAC accredited with an equivalent of the A grade, has not been able to gain permission from the Gujarat Government for Academic Autonomy, for the last 10 years and has finally won a battle in the High Court to approach the UGC directly for this status. Gujarat has also been the worst performer in settling claims and distributing title deeds to tribal people and other forest dwellers, as shown by the latest data put out by the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry. Till 2013, the State, with 15% tribal population, settled only 32 per cent of the claims, the lowest rate in the country.

As opposed to this, efforts like the Rojgar Yojana and the Food Security Act have been called "election sops". However some of our best social scientists like Amartya Sen and Jean Dreze have supported these as necessary in the emergency economic situation the country and the world is facing. The country is grateful that committed activists like Aruna Roy and Shailesh Gandhi have worked with the Government to initiate and sustain the Right to Information Act which makes accountability possible. Corruption still needs to be addressed effectively but since it is so prevalent at every level of society, it will take civil society long agonizing efforts to root it out.

A massive investment in health and education is sorely needed in our country of widening disparities and those who support big business and its unethical profits will never agree to such public expenditure for the masses. In fact, the worsening situation of environmental degradation and depletion, in the lunge for growth and profit, shows up the real intentions of the greedy. None can withstand this, as seen by the many clearances given in a week's time after the recent change of guard at the Central Environment Ministry, which had earlier tried to hold the line under a different Minister.

So what lessons does a reflection on the approaching elections teach us? The prospect of an alliance of corporate capital and communal forces coming to power constitutes a real threat to the future of our secular democracy. Support for people who pledge to work to take Human Development Indicators higher and who commit themselves to a pluralistic culture in diverse India - this is the hope for the future. No magic wand or divine miracles will come to the aid of the Indian people. Their reasoned choice of individuals and political parties who promise to work for a real quality of life for all, will see India prosper or flounder on the precipice. Choose well!