Launching a scathing attack on Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that if he had been the Prime Minister during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, he would have reclaimed Kartarpur Sahib from Pakistan in exchange for the release of Pakistani soldiers. “At the time of the Bangladesh War, we had 90,000 soldiers of Pakistan. The ‘Hukum ka Ikka’ was in our hands. If Modi had been there at that time, I would have taken Kartarpur Sahib from them and then released their soldiers. Still, I got Kartarpur Sahib Corridor built,” he stated.
PM Modi also highlighted that he introduced the Citizenship Amendment Act to grant citizenship to oppressed people, not for votes. “For the INDIA alliance, the biggest goal is to appease their vote bank. Modi is giving Indian citizenship under CAA law to Dalit and Sikh brothers and sisters suffering from partition. These people (INDI alliance) oppose CAA, organized riots in the name of CAA and even today they say that if their government comes, they will cancel CAA. You tell me, is it wrong to give Indian citizenship to the Sikhs who were victims of partition?” he asked.
PM Modi remarked that ‘Panja’ and ‘Jhaadu’ are two parties but essentially from the same source. Addressing a public meeting, he criticized those who betrayed their gurus, stating they cannot develop Punjab. “In Punjab, Delhi’s ‘Kattar’ corrupt party and another party which is guilty of Sikh riots are pretending to contest against each other. But the truth is, that ‘Panja’ and ‘Jhaadu’ are two parties but they are from the same shop. ‘Kuch bhi bayaan dein, lekin Delhi mein ek doosre ko kandhe pe utha kar naach rahe hain’ (‘They may make any statement, but in Delhi they are dancing carrying each other on their shoulders’). I request the people of Punjab to stay alert from them. Those who can betray their Guru Anna Hazare can lie 10 times in a day. Neither can such people develop Punjab, nor can they leave anything for the future of your children,” PM Modi said.
He also addressed the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and criticized the INDI alliance for opposing elements that respect faith. “Ram Temple was built in Ayodhya but they (INDI alliance) hate everything which respects our faith. INDI alliance people are extremely communal, casteist and family-based. They can betray anyone for power. This same Congress divided the country for power, due to which we were not able to visit Kartarpur Sahib for 70 years,” PM Modi added.
Intensifying his criticism of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, the Prime Minister labeled him as a ‘Kagzi’ (paper) chief minister. “Whether it is national security, protecting culture and heritage or the country’s development, the Punjab and Sikh community has always been at the forefront. From farming to industrialism, the people of Punjab have given their contribution. But what have ‘Kattar’ corrupts done to Punjab? Business and industry are migrating from here, and the drug industry is flourishing. The orders of the state government don’t work here; the will of the drug mafias, soil mining mafia, and shooter gang works. The government is running on loan. The ‘Kagazi’ (paper) CM has no time but to mark his attendance in Delhi,” PM Modi said.
He further emphasized that Punjab should not waste its vote but should vote for those committed to developing Punjab and India. “Our government exempted langar from tax. Earlier, devotees from foreign countries were not able to give donations in Shri Harmandir Sahib. We relaxed the rules for this. Sri Fatehgarh Sahib has been a witness to the bravery and martyrdom of Sahibzada. This is the Modi government, which declared Veer Bal Diwas dedicated to the bravery of Sahibzadas. Our Sikh families were in trouble in Afghanistan. We brought everyone back safely. We also brought the forms of Guru Granth Sahib with respect,” PM Modi asserted.
“This is BJP, which gives priority to farmer welfare. In the last 10 years, there was a record purchase of wheat and paddy from Punjab. In 10 years we increased MSP two and a half times,” he added.