CHITTORGARH/BARMER: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi on Sunday said India was no longer afraid of the threats of a nuclear war given by Pakistan every now and then while emphasizing that "we haven't saved our nukes for Diwali".
Addressing a rally in Barmer which has a large number of ex-servicemen, Modi said: "India has stopped the policy of getting scared by Pakistan's threats. Every day, they (Pakistan) would make claims about having nuclear weapons. Even the media would bring out reports about Pakistan having nuclear weapons. So what do we have? Are we saving them (nuclear weapons) for Diwali?"
Without mentioning the IAF strikes on Jaish-e-Mohammad's terror facility in Balakot, Modi said his government had crushed Pakistan's ego by taking bold steps. "Hamne Pakistan ki sari hekdi nikal di. Use katora leke dunia me ghumne ko maine majboor kar diya hai (I crushed Pakistan's arrogance and forced it to roam around the world with a begging bowl," he said.
Hitting out at Congress, he said: "Congress claims terrorism and nationalism are not issues. How can these not be issues when our young sons are being brought back home wrapped in the TricolourCongress says I should not talk about courage. Why not? Am I here to do bhajan?"
Modi said the then Congress government under Indira Gandhi missed a "golden opportunity" to resolve the Kashmir dispute after the 1971 Bangladesh war when "under global pressure" it released over 90,000 Pakistani troops who were in the custody of the Indian Army. "The Congress government crumbled under global pressure and signed the Shimla agreement and the matter was closed. Prisoners of war and the land captured by the Indian Army were released. That was a golden opportunity to resolve the Kashmir dispute in lieu of the PoWs. Would that have happened during Modi's regime?" he said. Earlier, addressing a rally in Chittorgarh, the PM said: "Can you think of any name other than 'Modi' who can eliminate terrorism?"
"Remember, when you cast your vote this time, you are not just playing the role of an alert citizen but also an alert soldier," he said.