‘Ram ka apmaan’: PM Modi attacks Congress, SP over no-show at Ayodhya temple consecration

Senior party leaders Maneka Gandhi and her son Varun Gandhi, who have represented the Pilibhit Lok Sabha seat for nearly 25 years, gave the rally a miss.

“INDI alliance partners SP and Congress do not care about the country’s heritage. The grand Ram Temple was constructed in Ayodhya after a wait of 500 years. Kalyan Singh ji (former Uttar Pradesh chief minister) not just gave his life but also sacrificed his government for the cause. Every family from across the country contributed for the cause, and so did Pilibhit. But these people of the INDI alliance have long harboured a hatred for the Ram Temple,” Modi claimed.

PM Narendra Modi with Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, BJP leader Jitin Prasada and others at a rally in Pilibhit, Tuesday. (Express Photo)

There is poison in the minds of SP and Congress leaders and that is why they expelled leaders who attended the temple consecration, he alleged, adding that people will never forget those who committed such “sins”.

Reiterating his charge that the Congress’s election manifesto appeared to be that of the Muslim League, the Prime Minister alleged that it was only because of the pressure of appeasement of politics that the party along with Samajwadi Party opposed the CAA.

“If not India, then who would give citizenship to Hindus and Sikhs who had to flee their countries of residence because of religious persecution?” he asked.

Also, the PM assured the Sikh community, which has a sizeable population in Pilibhit, of the BJP’s support while reminding them of the 1984 riots and the Congress’s alleged role in the pogrom and how the Samajwadi Party is standing with “this party”.

The government led by him, Modi said, not only developed the Kartarpur corridor but also removed GST from material used in langars served in gurdwaras. “Our government brought back those stuck in other countries and copies of Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book) from Afghanistan,” he added.

“The INDI alliance is engaged in dividing India and I want you to support the BJP for the country’s unity. The Congress also disrespected Shakti (manifestation of power). Those who worship Shakti will never forgive the INDI alliance for the insult,” he went on to say.

The Central government gave Rs 70,000 crore under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme while funds to the tune of Rs 850 crore were given to the farmers of Pilibhit, the PM said.