'Shehzade' insulted Maharajas, but silent on atrocities by Nawabs: PM attacks Rahul

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (April 28) accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of insulting India's Rajas and Maharajas, but remaining silent on the atrocities committed by Nawabs, Nizams, Sultans and Badshahs for the sake of appeasement politics.

Addressing a mega public meeting in Belagavi, PM Modi said, "Congress has ensured the writings of our history and our freedom struggle with an eye on appeasement and vote bank. Even today, the Congress' shehzade (prince) is carrying forward that sin. You might have heard Congress' shehzade's recent statement -- he says Bharath's Rajas and Maharajas were atyachari (oppressive)." .

"He (Rahul Gandhi) has accused them (Rajas and Maharajas) of usurping the lands and properties of people and poor...Congress' shehzade has insulted great personalities like Chhatrapati Shivajji Maharaj and Kittur Rani Channamma, whose administration and patriotism inspires us even today," he added.

Noting that Rahul cannot remember Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's oppressions, Modi said, “He (Aurangzeb) desecrated a number of our temples and destroyed them. Congress is happily making alliances with parties that praise Aurangzeb...they don't remember people who destroyed our religious places, indulged in killing of cows. They don't remember the Nawab, who played a role in the partition of India.”

Continuing with his attack on the Congress, PM Modi alleged that the party is “allying with those who praise Mughal emperor Aurangzeb”. He reiterated his charge that the “Congress wants to take over people’s wealth and redistribute among its vote bank”.

He alleged that the Congress conspired to “destroy India's democracy” while also accusing the grand old party of being “least bothered about national interest and concerned only about protecting interests of a family”. He said, “When India emerges and strengthens, everyone feels proud. However, the Congress has nothing to do with national interest as the party is only keen on watching interests of a family. The party does not like the country's achievements... They have started feeling ashamed of every achievement made by us.”

The prime minister said the law and order situation in the state has deteriorated ever since the Congress government has been formed in Karnataka. Bringing the topic of MCA student Neha Hiremath's murder case, he lashed out at the Congress, saying that “they again prioritised appeasement”. “They don’t value the lives of our daughters like Neha. All they care about is their vote bank,” he added

Modi also spoke about the amendments that his government made to India’s criminal justice system. “The BJP government has done away the colonial laws of the criminal justice system. Now in our 'Nyay Sanhita', we have prioritised justice for our citizens more than punishment. Laws pertaining to terrorism have been strengthened. Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam has new provisions for electronic evidence. After being implemented on July 1, it will help every citizen of the country,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

(With agency inputs)