Speaking via video conference at the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Gujarat, Modi stressed on the importance of unity in the face of divisive agendas, urging collective action to safeguard national integrity.
"Unity among citizens and integrity of the nation is important to make India a developed nation by 2047. Some forces are working to divide our society on the basis of caste, faith, language, social status, gender, and the rural-urban divide. We must recognise the gravity of these attempts by those who seek to harm our nation, understand the threat they pose, and work collectively to defeat such divisive acts," Modi said.
"We have to understand the seriousness of the intentions of these anti-nationals and will have to unite to defeat them," he said in his address via video conferencing. The first key step to make India a developed nation is "atmanaribharta" (self-reliance), he added. Later in the day, Modi said the Congress was trying to break the collective strength of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other backward classes by creating divisions among them to weaken their voice and eventually end the reservation for them, calling for unity among these communities.
"That's why I keep saying 'ek rahenge, toh safe rahenge (if you remain united, you will be safe)," he said while interacting with Bharatiya Janata Party workers in Jharkhand through the NaMo app.
The comments came in the middle of a heated campaign for assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. In the former, a BJP-led coalition is looking to retain power while in the latter, the Opposition's Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) hopes to win a second consecutive term.
In both states, the debate around a caste census - a key demand by the Opposition - is among the main campaign issues.
This story is from the November 12, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 12, 2024 edition of Hindustan Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Zelensky condemns Russian ‘inhumane' Christmas assault
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on Wednesday, denounced an \"inhumane\" attack from Russia, which launched over 170 missiles and drones on his war-torn country's power grid on Christmas Day, killing an energy worker.
Highway fire toll climbs to 18 with 3 more deaths
The toll in the LPG tanker-truck collision, which took place on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway on December 20, rose to 18 as three more people succumbed to injuries at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur on Wednesday, police officers aware of the matter said.
Punjabi Bagh flyover set to open Friday
Chief minister Atishi is likely to inaugurate on Friday the six-lane Club Road flyover in Punjabi Bagh, officials from Public Works Department (PWD) said.
CELEBRATING 26 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE: MERAKI 2024 BY IWP ACADEMY SHINES BRIGHT
Meraki 2024, the flagship annual event by IWP Academy (under KLGR Educational Society), served as a premier talent showcase, providing students with a dynamic platform to exhibit their skills and build confidence
'Pakistan airstrikes killed at least 46 in Afghanistan'
Pakistan's airstrikes on eastern Afghanistan killed 46 people, mostly women and children, a Taliban government official said, on Wednesday, raising fears of further straining the relations between the two neighbours.
Like father, like daughter: IAF recruit to train as pilot at airbase once commanded by her dad
The daughter of one of the country's top fighter pilots has joined the Indian Air Force's fighter stream, and will soon head for further training at a premier airbase in the eastern sector that was earlier commanded by her father, a serving air commodore - a rare occurrence in the air force that opened the fighter stream to women only eight years ago, officials aware of the matter said on Wednesday.
GOVT STARTS TALKS WITH RBI TO EASE PF WITHDRAWALS
The Union labour ministry has begun discussions with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and other banks on rolling out new services for subscribers of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), such as direct access to savings deposits through ATMs and e-wallets linked to bank accounts, an official said, requesting anonymity.
Dozens survive as plane with 67 on board crashes
An Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane crashed on Wednesday in western Kazakhstan, killing at least 38 of the 67 people on board, officials said, adding that the 29 survivors were receiving treatment at a medical facility.
Agencies planning to arrest Atishi in a false case: Kejriwal
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that central investigation agencies were planning to arrest Delhi chief minister Atishi \"in the next few days in a false case related to transport department\" at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Modi kicks off ambitious Ken-Betwa river project
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday laid the foundation stone of the interstate Ken-Betwa river linking project to channel excess water from the Ken river in Madhya Pradesh into the Betwa, saying the long-awaited linkage will open new doors of prosperity in the Bundelkhand region.
