Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday that India is a peace-loving country but is fully capable of dealing decisively with forces that threaten its security.In an apparent reference to Pakistan, the Defence Minister said India knows how to silence those who spread disturbance.
"We are people who want peace, but we also know how to permanently silence those who spread disturbance," Singh said, addressing a gathering after unveiling a statue of Maharana Pratap here.The defence minister criticised the previous Congress-led governments on the issue of national security, claiming that terror incidents were frequent before 2014 and that political leaders had displayed a soft approach towards terrorism. Referring to the Pahalgam attack, he said that Pakistan will be left begging for even food and water.
"Today, our armed forces have full freedom. If there is a terror attack, the terrorists must be eliminated. If crossing the border is necessary to eliminate them, that should also be done," he said.Singh said India is currently the world's fastest-growing major economy and has emerged as an important manufacturing destination."iPhones are being manufactured in India and supplied across the world. The India that was disappointed and discouraged before 2014 is now full of hope, energy, confidence and determination," he said.
Paying rich tributes to Maharana Pratap, Singh said the legendary ruler's bravery and sacrifice do not depend on the endorsement of any government or historian."Maharana Pratap's valour and courage were never dependent on any government or historian. Akbar is gone, the Mughals are gone and even their descendants have faded into history. But Maharana Pratap continues to live in the hearts of every Indian," he said.
Describing Maharana Pratap as more than just a king, Singh said he symbolised an India that never compromises on self-respect and values. "He endured every hardship but never bowed before the Mughals. To defend his motherland, he turned the yellow soil of Haldighati red with the blood of enemies," he said.The defence minister said Maharana Pratap's life teaches that nothing is more important than the dignity of the country and its people.
"For decades, Naxals shed the blood of innocent people and security personnel. Because of this violence, industries could not come up, roads could not be built and schools could not function in large parts of the country," he said.
Asserting that this government fulfils its promises, Singh cited the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir and the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya."We say what we believe and we do what we say. We had promised to remove Article 370 and we did it. We had promised that a grand Ram temple would be built and it has been built in Ayodhya," he said.
Follow us
