Elections 2024: At Nanded, PM Modi Takes On Congress For 1984 Riots

by Hemanta Pande

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

As he highlighted several significant initiatives that his government has taken for the welfare of Sikhs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday slammed the Congress, saying that the party has always opposed the community and is still taking revenge for 1984.

Nanded, Apr 20: As he highlighted several significant initiatives that his government has taken for the welfare of Sikhs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday slammed the Congress, saying that the party has always opposed the community and is still taking revenge for 1984.

"It is due to this that they oppose the CAA that aims to bring Sikh brothers and sisters to India, granting them citizenship," said PM Modi while addressing an election rally in Maharashtra's Nanded.

Insisting that the historic city "reflects the purity of India's Sikh gurus", PM Modi said that it was his government that brought back the Guru Granth Sahib from Afghanistan and facilitated the building of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor.

"We are guided by the principles of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Over the years, we have celebrated the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, and the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji," said PM Modi.

It isn't the first time that top BJP leaders are highlighting the initiatives taken by the Centre for the welfare of the community or the significance of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) that grants citizenship to Sikh refugees who suffered torture, forceful religious conversion and terrorism in neighbouring Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Exempting GST on 'langar', constructing the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, making Sultanpur Lodhi a heritage city, establishing a chair in the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji at a British university, and providing facilities for Sikh pilgrims to travel to Pakistan and many more such initiatives have been taken by the Modi government over the last 10 years.

At the same time, the BJP also took on the Congress for the 1984 riots, stating that it was the Modi government that established an SIT and re-opened 300 cases, leading to the imprisonment of the guilty and ensuring justice for the riot victims, besides providing them financial assistance.

Similarly, the party maintains that it was revocation of Article 370 that has given equal rights to the Sikh minority in Jammu and Kashmir.

Last October, while addressing a felicitation programme organised by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee for the "unprecedented work" done by the Modi government for the Sikh community, Home Minister Amit Shah reflected that the tradition of women empowerment started in the Sikh panth with Mata Khivi's langar.

At the same time, the BJP leaders are also highlighting the steps the Modi government has taken to empower the Sikh youth with opportunities, stating that, before 2014, just 18 lakh students from the Sikh community had been given scholarships - a number that has risen significantly to over 31 lakh pre/post matric and merit-cum-means scholarships now. (IANS)

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"Odisha Govt Deprived People Of Central Health, Housing Benefits": Nadda Slams CM Naveen Patnaik

by Hemanta Pande

Bhubaneswar, May 5: BJP national president JP Nadda on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government, saying, for political reasons, the Odisha government deprived its people of the health and housing security provided by the Central government.

After releasing BJP's manifesto for Odisha assembly elections JP Nadda said, "Schemes like PM AWAS Yojana and Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which have helped millions of people across the country, were not implemented here in Odisha. For political reasons, the state government of Odisha deprived its people of the health and housing security provided by the Central government."

He accused the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) of not fulfilling their promises, low income for farmers, poor education, and increasing violence against women.

"Promises made by the BJD still remain unfulfilled. Not only do farmers lack water for irrigation, but the earnings of farmers in Odisha are the lowest in the entire country. The school and university education system in Odisha are in a dire state. Violence against women is ever-increasing in the state, and what's worse is that leaders of the BJD are involved in these crimes," he said.

"Today, the income of farmers in Odisha is the lowest, and the migration of people from here is also the highest. The condition of education is bad and Odisha ranks number one in harassment of women. Corruption and theft have become common here," he added.

He mentioned that the BJP will construct Odisha Bhawan in every metro city and provide an annual allowance of Rs 10,000 per fisherman during the lean period.

"Odisha Bhawan will be built in every metro city. In the coming 3 years, we will create 25 lakh Lakhpati Didi. For fishermen, annual lean period allowance of Rs 10,000 will be given per fisherman," he said.

"We will build 15 lakh houses under the PM Awas Yojana. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, tap water will be provided to every house in 26 lakh houses," he said.

The Assembly elections will be held in Odisha in four phases, from May 13 to June 1, along with the Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. (ANI)

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Dharmendra Pradhan Holds Roadshow, Seeks Votes For Party Candidate From Rairakhol Assembly Seat

by Hemanta Pande

Sambalpur, May 5: Amidst a sea of cheering supporters, Union Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Sambalpur, Dharmendra Pradhan participated in a roadshow of BJP's assembly candidate from Rairakhol constituency, Debendra Mohapatra, before the latter's nomination.

Pradhan along with the Debendra Mohapatra boarded an open vehicle, adorned with party banners and flags. They were surrounded by thousands of enthusiastic locals and party workers who shouted slogans like 'Abki bar, 400 par'.

Later, while speaking to ANI Pradhan said, "PM Modi will come to Odisha today for elections. He will reach Bhubaneswar in the evening. Tomorrow, he will address two gatherings...There is a mood for transformation in the state...BJP will form the govt in both Odisha and the centre."

He said, "Odisha's Sankalp Patra was launched by BJP national president JP Nadda. I express my gratitude to him. He has made a historic announcement for the farmers of Odisha...BJP is committed to making it a number-one state..."

Pradhan had said that the BJP which is fighting against Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in both the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections held simultaneously in Odisha, has appealed to the people to give the party an opportunity to serve them.

"BJP is going with an appeal to the people...PM has appealed to the people of Odisha to give us an opportunity to serve them...," Pradhan said.

Also Read: JP Nadda Releases BJP's Election Manifesto For Odisha Assembly Elections 2024

BJP national president JP Nadda on Sunday released the party's manifesto for the Odisha assembly elections 2024 and vowed to end corruption of Biju Janata Dal.

" Our goal is 'from resolution to accomplishment'...we will fulfil our commitments...it (Manifesto) is not a document, it is our implementation programme for the next 5 years. The day we make government, a sub-committee is made for the manifesto and every month we monitor our manifesto...Our goal will be to end the corruption of BJD, we will have zero tolerance towards corruption," Nadda said.

Earlier on Thursday, Pradhan filed his nomination from Odisha's Sambalpur constituency. The Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in the state are to be held simultaneously in four phases, starting May 13.