Lynching in Jharkhand pained me, says Modi in Rajya Sabha
Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally broke his silence on the mob lynching incident of Jharkhand, in which a 22-year-old Muslim youth lost his life. While speaking in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, he said the incident disturbed him deeply. However, he also slammed Congress for calling Jharkhand a "hub of lynching". He further said Congress insulted the entire state with its comments. Here's more on what he said.
Context: Mob tied Tabrez Ansari, brutally thrashed him for hours
To recall, last week, 22-year-old Tabrez Ansari was attacked by a mob in Jharkhand. The mob accused him of bike theft, tied him to a pole, and thrashed him. He was then handed over to the police and on June 22 he breathed his last. The incident sparked outrage in the nation and BJP was slammed for not doing enough to contain vigilantism.
Subsequently, Azad said we don't want "New India"
In an apparent hint to this shameful incident and taking a jibe at BJP's promise of "New India", senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "There can be a modern India, but no New India. Please give us back the Old India." "There was no violence, no lynching... Give us that India where all religions are equal," Azad said on Monday in Rajya Sabha.
Why do you want 'Old India' back, asked PM Modi
So, when PM Modi got a chance to speak in the Upper House, he ripped into Azad. He reminded that in "Old India", Cabinet decisions were torn in press meets, Navy ships were used for personal trips, and scams happened way too often. "Now they are slamming New India. Do they want old India back," asked PM Modi in Azad's presence.
PM Modi turned poetic to slam Azad
Separately, PM Modi called deaths of kids in Bihar "shameful"
From Jharkhand, PM Modi moved towards its neighboring state Bihar, where over 130 kids have died due to the Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) outbreak. Calling the deaths of kids shameful, PM Modi said, "We have to take this seriously. I am in constant touch with the state government and I am sure we will collectively come out of this crisis soon."
Have to make medical care accessible to poor: PM Modi
PM Modi also spoke about water crisis
The country is witnessing an acute water crisis, and there is no story bigger than this. Recently, IMD suggested that almost half of India is staring at a drought-like situation. Apparently, PM Modi has some plans to deal with this problem. He said, "I am trying to mobilize everyone to tackle this, how we can give priority to water in MPLAD funds."
Congress' arrogance also found a mention in PM Modi's address
Now, PM Modi had poked fun at Congress' humiliating defeat on Tuesday too, when he was speaking at Lok Sabha, and he did the same again. He said there is really no end to the grand old party's arrogance. He also said by calling BJP's historic win India's defeat, the Opposition was insulting democracy. "Why should we question the decision of voters?" he asked.
Opposition can neither accept defeat, nor digest victory: PM Modi
"There have been so many elections with EVMs and parties that are present in the Rajya Sabha have got opportunities to govern in different states after elections were held through EVMs. Then, why question EVMs today? The Opposition isn't ready to accept defeat, nor can they digest victory," he added.
