Modi Delhi rally highlights: Urban Naxals, Congress misleading Muslims on NRC, citizenship law, says PM

"Our ties with Bangladesh are the strongest they have been. Congress fears that if Modi is popular among other Muslim countries, they will not be able to carry on with their politics of fear among Indian Muslims. Do not listen to these fearmongers. I assure all my countrymen, I will always do everything necessary for harmony in the country. Congress has always targetted me, called me maut ka saudagar. But you have backed me. The more Congress hates me, the more Indians shower their love on me."

'When I see protesters wielding stones, I feel upset. But when I see some protesters out with the Tricolour in their hands, it brings some sukoon  (peace) too. Those who are protesting with the Flag in their hands, I am sure, will also speak out against Pakistan, against terrorism. Holding the Flag is our right, but that also brings some responsibilities. Congress has a problem with why Modi is so popular among Muslim nations. I made many peace overtures to Pakistan, got betrayal in return. But with other Muslim countries, our ties are excellent. The Haj quota has gone up, Indian prisoners have been released."

"Some Chief Ministers are claiming they will not allow CAA in their states. You stand under the same flag, sing the national anthem, still make such speeches? At least ask your legal experts, your advocate general, if this is even possible." 

"Now there is Mamata didi. She earlier wanted the government to help Hindu refugees from Bangladesh. What has happened to you now? Once the Army was doing a regular drill in Bengal. Didi claimed Modi's Sena had invaded Bengal. Even Prakash Karat had said those fleeing Bangladesh due to religious persecution should be helped. Their sympathy that time was a lie. All these people are capable of is vote-bank politics." 

"There's a fundamental difference between refugee and infiltrator.  A refugee openly says he has been forced to flee a country because of his faith, an infiltrator never admits he is from a different country. Those opposing the law are deliberately mixing up infiltrator and refugee. Congress leaders like Ashok Gehlot have also earlier demanded that the government help those Hindus and Sikhs who have come here from Pakistan. But today, their hamdardi (sympathy) has become pet ka dard (stomach ache)." 

Who knows the pain of refugees better than Delhi? Those opposing the CAA are throwing acid on the pain of refugees.  This law is not Modi's brainchild. It is inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's thoughts.  Gandhiji had said that whenever Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan want to come back to India, they will be welcome. Those opposing the law don't want to listen to Modi, but at least follow Gandhi. 

"33,000 police personnel sacrificed their lives for peace and security in the country, since independence. Today, you are brutally thrashing them. When any problem arises, police don't ask your religion or caste, whatever the weather or time they are there to help you. What will you get from beating poor people, poor drivers and policemen," Modi said. 

"CAA is not for any citizen of this country. There has been misinformation about NRC. Congress and its allies, living in cities, urban naxals, are spreading rumour. They are spreading lies about detention centre. CAA and NRC has nothing to do with Indians Muslims" PM Modi said

'CAA will not affect any Indian citizen, be it Hindu or Muslim. There have been multiple rumours about NRC too. NRC was implemented in Assam after the Supreme Court order. There are no rules that have been framed, it has not been introduced in Parliament. While we are giving you your right with the unauthorized colonies bill, will we then try and snatch your right?"

"Few Opposition parties are going to an extreme for their own benefit. They are spreading all kinds of rumours, misleading people and stoking their emotions against citizenship law. I only have one request to them: hate Modi, but don't hate India. Target me but don't set public property on fire," Modi said

"We have never questioned or discriminated people based on their religion. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians all were benefitted by the unauthorized colonies Bill, everyone who lives here was benefitted. Why did we do this? Because we live for the love of the country," said PM Modi. 

"We believe in sabka saath, sabhka vikaas. Some political parties are spreading rumours, they're misleading people & inciting them. I want to ask them, when we authroised the unauthrosied colonies, did we ask anyone their religion? Did we ask which political party they support? Did we ask for documents from 1970,1980? I want to ask Congress and the other parties why are they lying to the people of India," PM Modi said.

Talking about the citizenship law, Modi said, "We have passed Citizenship Amendment Bill. Parliament should be honoured for this. However, few opposition parties are politicising the issue and spreading rumours about the bill." He also asked people to stand in a mark of respect for Parliament and the elected representatives

Targetting the voters ahead of Delhi Assembly elections, PM Modi said the BJP had an instrumental role in reducing the pollution in Delhi, reducing water scarcity, constructing metro among others. "Had the Delhi govt not politicised the phase 4 project of Delhi metro, its work would have started much earlier. That is why I say that those who do politics in your name, never understood your pain, they never intended to do that," PM Modi said. 

Modi attacks rivals for not doing enough for unauthorised colonies, says he decided he cannot let this go on. "I am satisfied that I and the BJP got a great opportunity to bring a new dawn in the lives of over 40 lakh people of Delhi. Through PM Uday Yojana, you got complete rights over your home, your land and the biggest capital of your life," he said. 

Stating that regularising colonies will boost business in Delhi, Modi said, 'Even after several decades of Independence, a large section of the population in Delhi had to face fear, uncertainty, deceit and false electoral promises. Sealing, bulldozer and a cut-off date - the life of a large population in Delhi' was confined around these words. You should know what those people, whom you were asking for something for yourself, were doing. They had illegally given 2000 lavish bungalows to their people. No one knows what was given to whom in lieu of that. The people in power here concentrated at VIPs, but I made you the VIP.'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his regards to all Delhi BJP leaders. Amid the slogans of people, he said unity in diversity is the hallmark of India. "Ramlila Maidan is a historic place. I can see an end to uncertainties on your faces," he said to the residents of unauthorised colonies. "This is a new dawn for the one lakh people in Delhi's unauthorized colonies. The people who have kept the rights away from the people of Delhi can now see the joy on your faces."

Scores of people took out a march in South Delhi on Sunday in support of Jamia Millia Islamia students and those facing police action for violent protest against the new citizenship law. Holding placards, people shouted 'Inquilab Zindabad' and demanded scrapping of the contentious law during the march in Alaknanda area. A group of Jamia students also participated in the protest. One of the placards read 'Hum kagaz nahi dikhayenge (We will not show documents), reject CAA, NRC', and another said, 'I stand with Jamia'. (PTI)

Follow LIVE updates on CAA protest here

The Delhi BJP unit presented PM Modi with a token of thanks on behalf of the 40 lakh residents of 1731 unauthorised colonies, who were granted ownership after the passage of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Unauthorised Colonies) Bill, 2019 was passed in Parliament. A total of 11 lakh signatures by residents of unauthorised colonies were collected to thank Prime Minister Modi, PTI reported, quoting BJP leader Vijay Goel

PM Modi has reached Ramlila Maidan. He was greeted by BJP leaders with a lotus flower (the party symbol of BJP) amid the chants of "Modi hai tho mumkin hai" and "Narendra Modi Zindabad"

The crowd at Ramlila Maidan ahead of PM Modi's rally (Express photo: Prem Nath Pandey)

A multilevel security arrangement will be in place on Sunday, with CCTV surveillance of all the routes leading to the venue and snipers being positioned atop buildings to ensure security

Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a rally at Ram Leela Maidan later today, security tightened in the area pic.twitter.com/QktUV4byb3

— ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2019

This will be PM Modi's first election rally in Delhi since he won a massive mandate for a second term in national elections earlier this year. The BJP is eyeing a comeback in the capital after two decades.

The area around the venue has been sanitised, meaning restriction on movement of locals and closure of shops, the police official said. A police official said 20 companies of outside force have been deployed, each company comprising 70-80 personnel. "Twenty DCP-rank officials will be there. As many as 1,000 personnel from local police, anti-drone teams and NSG commandos will be there," the official said.

No commercial vehicle will be allowed from Raj Ghat to Delhi Gate ahead of PM Modi's rally at Ramlila Maidan. Restrictions on DDU Marg towards Kamla Market Chowk via Vivekanand Marg. The traffic will also be affected on Barakhamba Road, Tolstoy Road and Ranjit Singh flyover.

Welcome to the Indian Express' live blog. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will shortly address a rally in Delhi's Ramlila Maidan today. Follow LIVE updates