Aurangzeb, PFI, temples and cows in PM Narendra Modi’s public address in Karnataka

Addressing a BJP public meeting in Belagavi, he claimed that around 25 crore people came out of poverty in the last 10 years.

ByNolan Patrick Pinto

Published Apr 28, 2024 | 1:18 PMUpdatedApr 28, 2024 | 1:45 PM

Modi speaking in Belagavi. (X)

Ahead of the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 28 April, accused the ruling Congress in the state of being engaged in the welfare of the party’s family.

“When India emerges and strengthens, everyone feels proud. But Congress has grown so far from National interest, engrossed in the welfare of their family that it does not like the country’s achievements… They have started feeling ashamed of every achievement made by us…,” he said.

Addressing a BJP public meeting in Belagavi, he claimed that around 25 crore people came out of poverty in the last 10 years under the BJP regime.

“In the last 10 years, India has become powerful. It’s a matter of pride that India is now identified as the ‘Mother of Democracy’. Around 25 crore people came out of poverty, which strengthened the self-confidence of the people,” the prime minister said.

“Congress has moved so much away from the interest of the country that they don’t become happy with the country’s achievements,” he added.

Also Read: PM should debate ‘real’ issues in Congress manifesto: P Chidambaram

‘Prioritised justice for people’

He said that by replacing the criminal laws from the colonial period and replacing them with the “Nyay Samhita”, they (BJP) have prioritised justice for the people.

“The BJP government removed the colonial laws of the criminal justice system. Now, in our ‘Nyay Sanhita’, we have prioritised justice for our citizens more than punishment. Laws pertaining to terrorism have been strengthened, and laws about atrocities on others have been severed,” he said.

“Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam has new provisions for electronic evidence. After being implemented on 1 July, it will help every citizen of the country,’ he added.

He also took a jibe at Congress citing the Supreme Court not agreeing to order 100 percent verification of VVPAT slips during the Lok Sabha elections.

“Just two days ago, the Supreme Court gave a tight slap to Congress and its group. The question is that on whose instructions Congress is spreading lies among people. Congress leaders lied about EVM. Every citizen of the country says that by doing this, they have tried to destroy the democracy of the country and therefore, they should apologise,” he demanded.

Also Read: Modi hell-bent on ‘revenge’ since Karnataka ‘rejected’ him in assembly polls, says Congress

‘Law and order deteriorating in Karnataka’

The prime minister also alleged a deteriorating law and order situation in Karnataka ever since the Congress formed its government in the state.

He also referred to the recent murder of the daughter of a Congress councillor in Hubballi.

“Ever since the Congress government was formed in Karnataka, the law and order situation has deteriorated in the state… What happened in Hubballi, has shaken the entire country. The girl’s family demanded action, but the Congress government again prioritised appeasement. They don’t value the lives of our daughters like Neha. All they care about is their vote bank…,” he claimed.

Modi also claimed that Congress did not take the Bengaluru cafe blast incident seriously and accused it of taking the support of the banned Popular Front of India in the Wayanad constituency in Kerala.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi is the Congress nominee in Wayaand for the Lok Sabha elections.

“Congress didn’t take Bengaluru’s cafe blast case seriously. Why are you fooling people? You (Congress) should leave if you can’t do your duty properly. It’s the same Congress that is taking help from PFI, a banned terrorist organisation, to gather votes in Wayanad. You (Congress) are surrendering to them (PFI) and defending their activities to win one seat,” he said.

The prime minister also accused the Congress of allying with those who praised Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

Also Read: Modi undermining dignity of PM post: Siddaramaiah

Slams Rahul Gandhi

Criticising the Congress manifesto and the remarks made by Congress leader Sam Pitroda, Modi claimed that the grand old party wanted to take over people’s wealth and redistribute among its vote bank, apparently referring to Muslims.

He also slammed the Congress shehzada (refferring to Rahul Gandhi) for allegedly not speaking of the atyachar (atrocities) by the Nawabs in the pre-independent India but insulting “our Rajas, Maharajas”.

Shehzada of Congress says that the kings of India were atrocious. They snatched the assets of the poor as per their wishes. The Shehzada of Congress has insulted great personalities like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Rani Channamma, whose good governance and patriotism still motivate us,” he said.

“Does the Shehzada not know the contribution of the Mysuru Royal family, whom we all are proud of? The statements made by the Shehzada of Congress have been made very thoughtfully to appease their vote bank… But the Shehzada does not say a word about the atrocities committed by the Nawabs, Nizams, Sultans, and Badhshahs…,” Modi claimed.

“Congress does not remember the atrocities committed by Aurangzeb who destroyed thousands of our temples. Congress forms political alliances with parties who praise Aurangzeb. They do not talk about all those who destroyed our pilgrimage sites, looted them, killed our people, and killed cows,” he further alleged.

(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)