Kanyakumari: “I am proud that India’s first woman Defence Minister Nirmala ji is from Tamilnadu. Every Indian is proud that the brave wing commander Abhinandan belongs to Tamilnadu,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after inaugurating a slew of projects in Tamilnadu yesterday.
Speaking at a public function, he said the events of the past two days have demonstrated yet again the strengths of the country’s armed forces. However, he said it was sad that a few political parties suspect our fight against terror when the entire nation supported the country’s armed forces. “These are the same people whose statements are helping Pakistan and harming India. They are the same people whose statements are happily quoted in the Parliament of Pakistan and in the radio of Pakistan,” Modi said.
He asked them to clarify whether they believed in the nation’s armed forces or those forces who support terrorism. He further added that Modi will come and go but India would remain. “Please stop weakening India to strengthen your own politics. We are Indians first and your politics can wait…it is the safety of our nation that is at stake,” he said.
The previous Congress-led UPA government had blocked surgical strikes post 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008, Modi claimed. The country has been facing the menace of terrorism for years, but today the armed forces have full freedom to do what they want. Terrorists and terrorism will be curtailed. “When Uri happened, you saw what our brave soldiers did, Pulwama happened, and you saw what our brave air warriors did. I salute those who are serving their nation. Their vigilance keeps the nation secure. This is a new India, this is an India that will return the damage done by terrorists with interest,” the Prime Minister said.