‘Have you seen Modi-led government discriminating against anyone?’: Union Minister Anurag Thakur

He accuses Congress of compromising national interests (File)

Jammu:

Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday said that after coming to power in 2014, the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi focused on “services, good governance and welfare of the poor” and there was no discrimination against the Muslim community in the country.

Accusing the Congress of dividing people in the name of “faith, caste and religion”, the Information and Broadcasting Minister said the BJP believed in uniting the country and taking it forward.

“Before 2014, Muslims were told that if Modi came to power, you were doomed… Have you ever seen a Modi-led government discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion? Have you ever been asked whether you are a Muslim, a Hindu or a Sikh? ?When it comes to availing central government schemes and facilities like free ration and free treatment,” Mr. Thakur said while addressing an election rally in Kishtwar district.

Kishtwar is part of the Udhampur Assembly constituency, which will go to polls on April 19 to decide the candidate of the BJP candidate and Union Minister Jitendra Singh and 11 others the fate of his main rival, India Bloc candidate Choudhary Lal Singh.

“The Modi government’s motto is ‘Everyone’s Saath, Everyone’s Vikas and Everyone’s Desire‘And a commitment to services, good governance and the welfare of the poor, which will be further strengthened over the next five years. “Mr. Thakur is here for the third time to drum up support for the BJP candidate.

“The Modi government ensures justice for all, including those deprived of their rights under Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

The BJP leader launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, saying its leaders Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi had claimed that Modi would amend the constitution if he was reelected for a third term.

“The Constitution was handed over to us by BR Ambedkar and we have high respect and respect for him. The Congress party amended the Constitution 62 times, including 17 times during Pandit Nehru’s tenure as Prime Minister, Indira ·It was revised 33 times during Gandhi’s rule,” Mr. Thakur said.

He accused the Congress party of compromising national interests by ceding land to Pakistan (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir), China (Aksai Chin) and Sri Lanka (Kachattiu Island) in the past.

“We put national interest first and unlike the Congress, India comes first for us,” Thakur said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party leader said that India’s economy has jumped to the fifth largest in the world and the Modi government is working hard to make it the third largest economy in the world.

“If you vote for Modi, you can get him re-elected as prime minister,” Thakur said. “Modi has strengthened our borders, equipped our defense forces with modern weapons and fighter jets and given it a go.”

“The nation is aware of Pakistan’s surgical strikes and appropriate response to China in Ladakh,” he added.

The minister said there has been a decrease in terror incidents in Kashmir, with killings of civilians down by 81 per cent and killings of security personnel down by 50 per cent.

“Tiranga is our pride but some people in Srinagar used to desecrate it. In 2011, I marched from Kolkata to Kashmir against this but was jailed by the National Conference government led by Omar Abdullah. Today , the atmosphere completely changed after the repeal where the BJP enacted Article 370 and the tricolor was flying high there,” he said.

Seeking votes from Jitendra Singh, Thakur said the restoration of peace in Jammu and Kashmir by the BJP was the party’s biggest achievement.

“Acts of terror are a major obstacle in attracting tourists to this picturesque region. Last year, more than two crore tourists visited J&K and the number is expected to cross 30 million this year,” he said.

The BJP leader said the assembly elections and restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood will be held in the coming months.

Thakur later told reporters that India does not favor war between any countries.

“We are not in favor of war (between Israel and Iran) and have always supported peace.” He criticized the Congress Party, the National Congress and the People’s Democratic Party, saying that they always work for the family and do not care about the welfare of the masses.

Mr. Thakur commended the sacrifices of the people of Kishtwar who fought alongside the security forces to defeat terrorism in their own soil.

“Those who gave their lives for their country will always be remembered,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)