Modi’s speech was his first major public event since the September 29 surgical strikes and had been closely watched for political and diplomatic cues on whether he would sound the electoral bugle for Uttar Pradesh, due for elections early next year, and use the surgical strikes in Pakistan as a selling point in the electorally significant state.
Modi did not name Pakistan, but the reference to the neighbor was clear.
Everyone has to speak in one voice against terrorism: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 11, 2016
Today is the International Day of the Girl Child. There is a need to end discrimination based on gender: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 11, 2016
“Every year, year after year, we burn that one Ravana who has insulted Sita... But what about those Ravanas who discriminate between sons and daughters? Even today baby girls are killed in the womb. People should be happy when they have boys. They should be even more happy when they have a daughter. It is the Ravana in you that makes you differentiate between boys and girls. We should save our daughters, respect them," he said.
Yet, his statements on terror were the most keenly watched.
PM Narendra Modi performs the aarti at the Ramlila event in Lucknow. (PIB PHOTO)
The Prime Minister steered clear of making any reference to the surgical strikes of September 29 by the Indian Army in Pakistan-held territory (PoK), which the opposition had accused BJP of politicising.
Modi reminded the audience that India was a land that progresses from Yudh (war) to Buddh (Lord Budha). For any society, war may be inevitable in certain conditions, but this land is of Budh and not Yudh, he said.
He also said the haunting images of child victims of terror in Syria beamed through television underlines the need for humanity to come together and finish the scourge of terror once and for all.
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