Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday used the occasion of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 150th birth anniversary to assert that India’s response to its enemies is now “decisive, strong and visible to the world”.
Speaking at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, he said Operation Sindoor had sent a clear message that “India can enter enemy territory and strike”.
“During Operation Sindoor, the entire world saw that if anyone dares to raise an eye towards India, Bharat ghar mein ghus kar maarta hai (India hits back into enemy’s territory). Today, Pakistan and handlers of terrorism know what India’s real strength is,” the Prime Minister said, linking the country’s assertive security posture to Sardar Patel’s vision of a self-respecting and united India.
The Prime Minister used the platform of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) to attack the Congress, accusing it of “forgetting Patel’s vision”. PM Modi said Patel’s ideals guided the government’s approach not only to external threats but also to internal challenges such as Naxalism and infiltration.
Before 2014, Naxalites ran their own rule across large parts of the country. Schools, colleges and hospitals were blown up, and the administration looked helpless. We acted firmly against urban Naxals, and today, the results are visible — from 125 affected districts earlier, only 11 remain, and Naxal dominance is confined to three,” he said.
Modi also warned that infiltration posed a grave threat to India’s unity. “For the sake of vote banks, previous governments endangered national security.
Those fighting for infiltrators donât care if the nation is weakened. But if the countryâs security and identity are at risk, every citizen is at risk,” he said.