New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reached out to political parties, urging all to join hands in national interest and to fulfil the aspirations of the people, amidst the government’s efforts to build consensus for the passage of the delimitation-linked Women’s Reservation Bill.
Participating in Vijaya Dashami celebrations in the national capital, Modi called upon citizens to adopt a ‘Nation First’ pledge to jointly identify and defeat the enemies of “Maa Bharati”.
The prime minister said the forces that inflict harm on the country, the people who divide society and the mindset “that hates our culture, all these are the enemies of the nation”.
The prime minister’s comments come in the backdrop of protests by the opposition and the Cockroach Janta Party seeking resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls.
The ruling BJP has alleged that the protests, which were held in the national capital and several other places in different states, were staged at the behest of foreign forces that do not want the country’s progress.
The prime minister said ‘Ram Rajya’ is considered a benchmark of good governance even today, where there is no discrimination against anyone, where everyone receives justice, where equal opportunities are available and where the purpose of power is not to rule, but public welfare.
“We should take inspiration from Lord Ram to fulfil people’s aspirations,” he said
Modi said all institutions and political parties must stand together for national interests.
Citing a Sanskrit verse, the prime minister said, “May our thoughts be aligned; may all the institutions of the nation, all political parties, stand together for national interests. We must proceed with this very spirit and we must fight together against the enemies of the country.”
The prime minister’s comments bear significance as the government continues to make efforts to build consensus for passage of the delimitation-linked women reservation bill.
On Monday, in a letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju underlined that the government values the participation of all political parties in deliberations and discussions on all matters of national importance and expressed the hope that the Congress will play a constructive role and not obstruct important future legislations.
Kharge had earlier written to the prime minister that the government must convene an all-party meeting before proceeding with the passage of the constitution amendment bill again.
A move to pass a bill to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in Lok Sabha and assemblies and increase the Lok Sabha seats to a maximum of 815 from the present 543 was defeated in Lok Sabha in April due to lack of numbers, as a two-thirds majority is required for passage of a constitution amendment bill.
The government has not yet prorogued the monsoon session, which was adjourned sine die on August 13, and it led to speculation that the ruling coalition is keen to move to pass the bill in a special session.
Underlining that his government’s goal is to make India self-reliant, the prime minister said, “We must have faith in our resources. We must turn our resolve into power and find solutions through our own hard work. Because Lord Shri Ram taught us that the difficulties cannot stop our journey.”
“No matter how big the crisis may be, no matter how tough the challenge may be… we must not sit back relying on others.
“We must recognise our own strength. We must have faith in our resources. We must turn our resolve into power and find solutions through our own hard work,” he said.
“This festival instils in us the courage that no matter how mighty the enemy may be, when we stand with truth and humanity, victory is ultimately ours. This very spirit of Dussehra has always been the ideology of India,” he said.
The prime minister’s remarks came on a day US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Mumbai, amidst the frictions in India-US bilateral ties over India’s procurement of Russian energy.
Modi said Lord Ram taught people that the difficulties in the path cannot stop the journey. The prime minister said a nation progresses when it possesses a sense of self-respect, and its heritage plays a major role in shaping that self-respect.
“That is why the country is now working to preserve its heritage and identity,” he said.
Modi said for centuries, Indian artefacts were looted and taken abroad, but today, the government is bringing those treasures back.
“Over the past 12 years, more than 650 ancient idols have been brought back to India. India is giving its cultural centres a new identity on the world stage. Vijayadashami is the festival of victory,” he said.
“This is the ideal of Lord Shri Ram. Therefore, we must always consider the public as Janardan (divine) and move forward with the mantra of Nagarik Devo Bhava (Citizens are equivalent to God). We must keep the service of the poor and the underprivileged paramount,” he said.
Dussehra celebrated with religious fervour in J&K
Jammu: Chants of “Jai Shri Ram” reverberated across Jammu city on Tuesday as people celebrated Dussehra with traditional gaiety and religious fervour, burning large effigies of demon king Ravan, his brother Kumbhakarn and son Meghnad to mark the triumph of good over evil.
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir BJP president and MP Sat Sharma attended the main Vijayadashami function at Parade Ground in Jammu, where a grand Ramleela depicting the victory of Lord Ram over Ravan was staged before the burning of the effigies.
Hundreds of people thronged the venue to witness the celebrations and raised religious slogans as the firecracker-stuffed effigies went up in flames amid cheers.
Speaking at the function, Abdullah recalled the episode of Lord Ram’s return after defeating Ravan and said the demon king’s downfall was a reminder of the consequences of ego and arrogance.
“I am reminded of the time when Bhagwan Ram returned home. Mother asked him, ‘You killed Ravan?’ Ram replied, ‘Mother, I did not kill Ravan. He was killed by ego and anger.”
Asserting that anger and ego consume even godly people, he said, “Ravan was well-versed in all four Vedas. He was a great scholar and also a great devotee of Lord Shiva. But pride and ego entered him, and he believed that he had become invincible. He had to be removed from this world.”
He appealed to people to promote love, mutual respect and family values, and urged parents to impart religious and moral education to their children.
“If we truly want to become good human beings, we must understand our religion. Religion shows us the right path,” he said, adding that children should be taught English, mathematics and other subjects while also being introduced to their religious and cultural traditions.
Abdullah expressed hope that Jammu and Kashmir would prosper and move forward, saying people should support one another to achieve progress.
Jammu and Kashmir BJP president and MP Sat Sharma extended Dussehra greetings to the people of Jammu, saying the festival symbolises the victory of truth over falsehood and good over evil.
Addressing the gathering, Sharma said the message of Dussehra remains relevant today, as evils persist both within individuals and in society. He appealed to people to unite and resolve to eradicate these evils by following the ideals represented by Lord Ram.
Dussehra celebrations were held at dozens of locations across Jammu city and other parts of the region, including Doda, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah, Ramban, Reasi, Katra, Poonch, Rajouri, Samba, Udhampur and Kathua, with large public gatherings and the burning of Ravan effigies.
Vijayadashami was celebrated with enthusiasm in Kishtwar, where BJP MLA Shagun Parihar attended the festivities. Effigies of Ravan, Meghnad and Kumbhakarn were burnt as part of the celebrations.
Several organisations, including the Shri Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal, organised traditional Shastra Pujan ceremonies to mark Vijayadashami.
The Shri Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha organised a traditional Shastra Pujan at Raj Tilak Bhawan in Purani Mandi, Jammu. The ceremony began with a Havan Yajna, followed by the ritual worship of weapons.
Bajrang Dal activists also took out an armed rally through Jammu city, which concluded peacefully. In Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri and Kathua, RSS took out road marches amid tight security.
In Kishtwar, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) organised a Shastra Puja followed by a rally through the main market.
Meanwhile, Kashmiri Pandits and other Hindus living in Kashmir on Tuesday celebrated Dussehra, a festival that marks the victory of good over evil, officials said.
Hundreds of people, including tourists, thronged the Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium to celebrate the festival organised by Kashmiri Pandit Sangarsh Samiti, they said.
Giant effigies of Ravan, Kumbhakaran and Meghnad were set afire at the practice grounds of the cricket stadium amidst thunderous cheers from the people assembled there, the officials said.
A festive atmosphere was witnessed at the venue as firecrackers were burst and sweets distributed among those present there, they added.
A large number of Muslims also witnessed the celebrations, the officials said.
The organisers of the festival thanked the administration and locals for their cooperation.
