New Delhi: Amid the raging anti-CAA protest, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chose to start his speech with an unusual chant, “Vividhta me ekta, Bharat ke visheshta” (Unity in diversity is India’s forte).
Though the focus of the rally was the upcoming Delhi Assembly election where the BJP’s state unit drummed up the fact that the Centre regularised illegal colonies that benefitted thousands, Modi chose it to be the platform to answer the raging opposition against the Citizenship Amendment Act.
“Citizenship Act doesn’t apply to any Indians – be it Hindu or Muslim. It applies to the refugees from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan,” he said. Invoking Mahatma Gandhi, Modi made his point but not without taking a sharp dig at the Gandhi family.
On Sunday, Modi was at his aggressive best when he referred to certain opposition parties as “remote control” behind the current anti-CAA agitation. “There’s no discussion on NRC… Some educated urban naxals are spreading this rumour that all Muslims will be sent to detention centres. ‘Ye jhhut hai, ye jhhut hai, ye jhhut hai’ (These are lies),” he said.
On Sunday, Modi spared no one. Not just the Congress he also took a dig at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as well. Referring to the controversial demand of the Trinamool chief for a UN-monitored referendum on the issue, Modi said she had a different position on the subject a few years ago. “Didi, what made you change your mind?” asked Modi.
In a sharp response to the violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, Modi said, “Burn Modi’s effigy, but do not burn public property”.
“Hate me if you want to, but don’t hate India. Burn my effigy, but don’t burn a poor man’s auto-rickshaw,” Modi said during his over-an-hour-long speech.
Modi began his speech with a a new slogan: “Vividhta me ekta, Bharat ki visheshta (unity in diversity is India’s essence) to the cheering crowds.
He blamed political propaganda that triggered arson and burning of public properties.
Modi said his government provided land ownership to 40 lakh people of 1,731 unauthorised colonies in Delhi. He said over 1,700 colonies have been demarcated and added that the maps for 1,200 colonies are ready.
Attacking the so-called urban naxals, the PM said they were spreading rumours that all Muslims would be sent to detention centres. “These are all lies. Respect education,” he said.
Amid fluttering BJP flags, beating of drums and excited attendees, Modi was the unmistakable crowdpuller. Many of the BJP supporters were seen dancing to tunes that were dedicated to Prime Minister.
Needless to say, BJP put its best bet forward and hopes to use his image to win Delhi election, where it was decimated by AAP in the last polls.
Though Modi’s focus largely remained the opposition parties and their alleged flip flops on the Citizenship Amendment Act, Modi had done one thing that most in the BJP failed to : Unite the entire Delhi BJP unit.