'Tried To Push Saffron Terror Narrative': PM Slams Congress In House Speech
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a blistering attack on the Congress during his reply to the debate on Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, accusing the party of decades-long inaction against terrorism due to its "appeasement politics" and vote-bank compulsions.
In a scathing speech, PM Modi said that before 2014, the country was gripped by fear, with frequent terror alerts and citizens left to fend for their own safety. "Back then, the government didn't offer protection - it only issued warnings. People were told to be alert because bombs could go off anywhere. That was the reality of Congress rule," PM Modi said.
He contrasted the current government's approach with that of the previous regimes led by Congress, claiming that under BJP rule, India has demonstrated both the will and capability to strike back decisively at terrorism. "The question the nation is asking today is: if we can take firm action against terror, why didn't Congress governments do it? What was stopping them?" PM Modi asked.
The Prime Minister accused the Congress of being soft on terror to appease its vote banks. He cited multiple instances to make his case:
Batla House encounter: "When terrorists were neutralised, a senior Congress leader was seen weeping. This wasn't compassion for the victims - it was appeasement in its most shameful form."
Parliament attack (2001): "A Congress leader advocated giving terrorist Afzal Guru the benefit of doubt, even after such a brazen attack on India's democracy."
26/11 Mumbai Attacks
"Despite overwhelming global evidence linking the attackers to Pakistan, Congress tried to push the narrative of 'saffron terror'. They were more interested in protecting their vote banks than defending the country."
PM Modi also slammed the Congress for weakening anti-terror laws and blocking the full implementation of the Constitution in Jammu & Kashmir. "Why didn't Article 370 go earlier? Because the Congress didn't want to upset its appeasement strategy. Dr. Ambedkar's Constitution was kept out of Kashmir by Congress itself."
He also referred to a reported incident where a Congress leader allegedly told a US diplomat that Hindu organisations were more dangerous than Lashkar-e-Taiba. "Imagine the mindset," PM Modi said, "comparing patriots to terrorists - just for political gain."
The Prime Minister's speech, punctuated with pointed accusations and references to past terror attacks, underscored the BJP's aggressive posture on national security and its effort to corner the Opposition - particularly the Congress - on issues of internal safety and patriotism.
As the Lok Sabha sat in tense silence punctuated by sharp protests from Opposition benches, PM Modi concluded with a pointed message: "The country has changed. The politics of fear and appeasement will no longer be accepted. The era of turning a blind eye to terror is over."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
25 minutes ago
- NDTV
AAP, BJP Play Blame Game Over Rising Dengue, Malaria Cases In Delhi
A blame game has started in Delhi between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the BJP-led Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Friday over the rising cases of vector-borne diseases in the national capital. Both are trading accusations, while health experts warn of a potential surge if timely interventions are not implemented. To put the Rekha Gupta-led BJP government in the dock, the AAP has alleged that malaria cases in Delhi have broken a 10-year record. According to official figures, Delhi has reported 277 dengue cases, 124 malaria infections, and 18 cases of chikungunya so far this monsoon season. AAP Trains Guns At MCD AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said the rising disease numbers reflected larger issues with civic infrastructure. "Malaria cases in Delhi have broken a 10-year record. This isn't just a number, it's a symptom of how deeply mismanaged the city is," he said during a press conference on Friday. Pointing to the instances of waterlogging in Connaught Place, Sadar Bazar, and Janpath, Mr. Bharadwaj said, "BJP ministers repeatedly claim there's no waterlogging, but the rising malaria cases tell a different story. The AAP has also said it will raise the matter in the Delhi Assembly session on August 4. मलेरिया के आंकड़े पिछले 10 साल में सबसे ज़्यादा‼️ BJP की सरकार ने कहा था कि इस बार दिल्ली में जलभराव नहीं होगा लेकिन इस बार CP और सदर बाजार समेत तमाम जगहों पर जलभराव हुआ लेकिन बीजेपी सरकार ने मानने से ही इनकार कर दिया। अब दिल्ली में मलेरिया के आंकड़े पिछले 10 साल के आंकड़े को… — Saurabh Bharadwaj (@Saurabh_MLAgk) August 1, 2025 Mayor Hits Back Responding to the allegations, Delhi Mayor Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh defended the MCD's efforts and questioned AAP's performance during its tenure at the municipal level. AAP ran the MCD for two-and-a-half years. Did they eradicate mosquito breeding? They didn't even release full data on dengue and malaria cases then," Mr Singh said. He also highlighted the civic body's recent initiatives to prevent mosquito breeding and vector-borne diseases, which include spraying at 49,718 locations, conducting 8.2 lakh home inspections, and issuing over 5,600 legal notices for mosquito breeding violations. "We're acting on a war footing. These baseless accusations by AAP are just a political diversion," Mr Singh said, adding that AAP leaders have not been active participants in health discussions. Between Politics and Public Health, Residents Want Solutions As political back and forth continues, residents say they're more concerned about on-ground response than party positions. "We don't want daily updates on blame. We want clean streets, regular spraying, and health camps," said a resident in West Delhi.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
CM orders depts to not demolish a single slum in Delhi
Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Friday announced an immediate halt to demolition drives in the Capital's slum clusters and promised that all future removals, if unavoidable, will be accompanied by advance rehabilitation. Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta. (PTI) Stressing that the city's slum dwellers will not be 'harassed anymore', she said that 50,000 old and dilapidated flats built for the economically weaker sections (EWS) will be renovated and allotted to slum dwellers. 'No slum will be removed without providing alternative housing first,' Gupta said, adding that if required, the government would amend the existing slum policy or even approach court to ensure protection for the poor. 'The pain of slum dwellers will not be ignored,' she said. Gupta's announcement comes amid mounting political tension over demolition drives in Delhi's informal settlements since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in February. While the demolitions – carried out by agencies like the DDA, Railways and municipal bodies – were largely in compliance with court orders, they sparked criticism from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which accused the BJP of breaking its pre-election promise to protect slum residents. Among the major drives were the June 1 demolition of 300 homes in Jangpura's Madrasi Camp, the June 17 razing of 200 structures in Ashok Vihar, and the June 18 clearance of 25 homes in Gokalpuri. The BJP defended the actions as necessary for reclaiming public land, but Gupta's announcement will come as a reassurance for residents. 'The slums in Delhi are an inseparable part of the city. My government is committed to giving them rightful recognition,' Gupta said, alleging that opposition parties had reduced slum dwellers to a vote bank. She said her government is holding meetings across departments to chalk out a plan for permanent housing and that all departments have been instructed to immediately halt any ongoing demolition activity. She also promised that if rules need to be changed to protect the rights of slum residents, her government will not hesitate to do so. A key part of this effort, she said, is the revival of 50,000 unallotted flats constructed for the poor years ago under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). These flats, which became dilapidated after lying vacant for years, will now be renovated and allotted to slum dwellers under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U). Gupta accused previous government of wasting the opportunity to house the poor. 'Despite receiving crores under JNNURM, the flats were never allocated. Departments like DUSIB and DSIIDC were on the verge of returning ₹732 crore to the central government,' she said. 'Now, with approval from the Union housing ministry, this money will be used to renovate the flats and house slum dwellers.' She said the dispute between the Delhi and central governments over whether the flats should be rented out or directly allotted to slum dwellers had stalled progress for years. Her government, she added, is now committed to direct allocation. 'In these neglected settlements, there was no drinking water, no drainage, no roads. Past governments left them to alcoholism and despair. My government will restore their dignity and give them the pride of being true citizens of Delhi,' she said. Responding to the allegation, AAP's Delhi state president Saurabh Bharadwaj said CM Gupta and the BJP have been bluffing the slum residents in the city. 'If Rekha Gupta is serious about slum rehabilitation, she should ask the central government and its agencies — such as the DDA, railways, and the land and development department — to withdraw the cases against these JJ clusters in the high court and Supreme Court,' Bharadwaj said in a statement.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
"Ignore Baseless Allegations": Poll Body On Rahul Gandhi's Voter Fraud Claim
New Delhi: Pushing back against fresh allegations of "vote theft" made by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, the Election Commission of India has termed them "baseless". The Election Commission (EC) also said an email and a letter had been sent to Mr Gandhi in June, inviting him to meet and discuss the voter roll issue, but he had not responded. The Congress MP had, instead, made "wild allegations" and even threatened the EC and its staff, the poll panel said. Speaking to reporters about the Bihar Special Intensive Revision on Friday, the Congress leader had said the Commission was involved in the "vote theft" to benefit the BJP. "Votes are being stolen. We have open-and-shut proof that the Election Commission is involved in this vote theft. And I'm not saying this lightly, I'm speaking with 100% proof. And when we release it (proof), the entire country will come to know that the Election Commission is enabling vote theft. And who are they doing it for? They're doing it for the BJP," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Mr Gandhi said the Congress had investigated and found enough evidence to constitute an "atom bomb". "We had suspicion of voter theft, and we got into its granularity. Since the Election Commission was not helpful in the investigation, we did our own. It took six months and the things we found are an 'atom bomb' and when this atom bomb explodes, you won't see the Election Commission in the country," the Congress MP said. "Most importantly, whoever in the Elections Commission is involved in this exercise, right from top to bottom, we will not spare you. You are working against India, and this is no less than treason. Wherever you are, even if you are retired, we will find you," he added. 'Threats' In a statement later in the day, the Election Commission said it ignores such "baseless allegations", adding that they were being made on a daily basis. "Despite the daily threats being given, we ask all election officials to ignore such irresponsible statements and work in a fair and transparent manner," the panel said. It pointed out that the Congress leader had been invited to discuss the voter rolls issue, but had not even responded. "EC sends a mail to him 12 June 2025. He does not come. EC sends him a letter on 12 June 2025, he does not respond. He has never sent any letter to EC on any issue whatsoever. It is very strange that he is making wild allegations and has now even started threatening EC and its staff. Deplorable!" it said in the statement. "EC ignores such irresponsible statements and asks all its staff to continue working impartially and transparently," it added. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also objected to Mr Gandhi's claims and accused him of making "anti-India" remarks. "Rahul Gandhi is not a child. He is the Leader of the Opposition. Giving anti-national statements and disrupting Parliament is unacceptable," the Parliamentary Affairs minister said.
