(Image source from: indiatoday.in)

Rajnath Singh, Union Defence Minister said,“Our intention is clear. Our policy is clear…’Hum duniya ke kisi desh ko chhedenge nahi; lekin jo humko chhedega, hum chhodenge nahi’(we will never provoke any nation, but, if provoked ,we will not spare anyone.)”

“The measures taken by Narendra Modi- led government to curb terrorism have cemented India’s reputation as one of the strongest nations in the world,” he asserted addressing a poll meet.

Recalling the earlier efforts that were made to maintain friendly relations with the neighbouring country, he said former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had visited Pakistan to extend a “hand of friendship”, and, in return, received Kargil invasion.

“Atal ji used to say, friends may change in life, but not neighbours. He went to Pakistan with an objective to build neighbourly relations. Pakistan, in return, invaded Kargil. Our jawans, however,gave an appropriate response, decimating the,” Singh stated.

“The Narendra Modi government decided to strike and destroy terror camps inside Pakistan. India is no longer a weak nation. I have been to several countries in the past as well as in the recent times.

“Our country’s impression has changed outside. Our fight against terrorism has cemented India’s reputation as one of the strongest nations in the world.” he insisted.

Nothing that “a trust deficit was prevalent in India’s political system” during Congress rule,Sign said that BJP had fulfilled its promises made to the people taking it up as a challenge.  

Giving an answer to the opposition parties who wanted the withdrawal of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill- a legislation that seeks to grant nationality to all non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan- he said, “ the BJP does not discriminate people on the basis of faith or caste. We belive in ‘insaf’( justice ) and’insaniyat’(humanity)”.

In the fourth phase of the five-phase assembly selections, Jharia is among the fifteen seats that are going to poll on December 16. the third phase is scheduled on December 12.

By Shrithika Kushangi