Farmers Movement Archive

In Bihar, PM slams opposition for seeking J&K special status return

PATNA: PM Narendra Modi on Friday praised the bravery of the Indian Army’s Bihar Regiment in taking on China’s PLA in Galwan Valley in June and said soldiers belonging to the unit had made the supreme sacrifice to protect India’s “honour”. In a poll speech in Bihar’s Dehri, which also saw him attacking the opposition for its “audacity” in demanding restoration of J&K’s special status, Modi said, “The brave sons of Bihar attained martyrdom for the pride of the Tricolour in Galwan… I bow to them and pay my homage.” Read AlsoBihar polls: Rahul takes on Modi over China, migrant crisis; attacks NitishPATNA: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a stinging attack on PM Narendra Modi and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar in his two rallies in the state on Friday. He took on the PM on issues such as the Chinese aggression at the LAC, the migrant crisis during the lockdown and farm laws andThis was perhaps, Modi’s first reference in public to the bloody fight with the PLA in Galwan after the rich tributes he paid to the Army while visiting troops at Nimu in Ladakh in early July. The plaudits for 16 Bihar coincided with the stalemated talks with China for resolution of the border standoff, with India rejecting Beijing’s demand to vacate the strategic heights it has taken over unless the communist regime agrees to “comprehensive de-escalation”. In his speech, Modi lashed out at the opposition for demanding reversal of the dilution of Article 370, calling the stand audacious. “They are saying they will re store Article 370 if they come to power. Look at their audacity? They are still daring to seek votes from the people of Bihar. Isn’t it an insult to the sentiments of Bihar which sends its sons and daughters to the borders to protect the country?” he asked. The attack came after senior Congress leader P Chidambaram’s support for the demand of political outfits in Kashmir Valley for restoration of “special status for the Valley as part of their Gupkar Declaration”. Modi recalled that quite a few CRPF jawans martyred in the terrorist attack on their bus in Pulwama and in counter-terror operations in the Kashmir. Valley were from Bihar.

The Times of India

2020-10-24