Great men forgotten for one family: Modi
Says we must also know of Sardar, Bose
Launching a thinly-veiled attack on the Nehru-Gandhi clan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday alleged that the contribution of several great leaders such as Sardar Patel, B.R. Ambedkar and Subhash Chandra Bose to the freedom struggle was “deliberately forgotten” to glorify “one family”.
He also said it is high time more Indians knew about the historic role these stalwarts played.
A combative Mr Modi also said that India never eyes anyone else’s territory but will hit back with “double the force” if its sovereignty is ever challenged. In his speech, he also said that his government was working towards providing the armed forces with better technology and latest weapons . He went on to add that efforts were underway to make the lives of soldiers easier by giving them better facilities.
The PM said this at an event to mark the 75th anniversary of proclamation of the Azad Hind government by Subhash Chandra Bose.
After Sardar Patel and B.R. Ambedkar, the BJP is now turning to the legacy of Bose. Donning the famous Azad Hind Fauj cap, the Prime Minister hoisted the national flag at the Red Fort and unveiled a plaque to mark the 75th anniversary of the proclamation of the Azad Hind government by Bose.
Traditionally, the Prime Minister unfurls the tricolour on the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day. The plaque will be placed at barrack number three at the Red Fort where members of the Azad Hind Fauj faced trial. A museum will be also set up in the barrack.
Launching a thinly-veiled attack on the NehruGandhi clan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday alleged that the contribution of several great leaders such as Sardar Patel, B.R. Ambedkar and Subhash Chandra Bose to the freedom struggle was “deliberately forgotten” to glorify “one family”.
Mr Modi lamented that post Independence, India’s policies were based on the British system as “things were seen through British glasses”.
“Policies, including those related to education, had to suffer because of this,” he said, adding that, “Subhash babu always took pride in India’s history and our rich values. He taught us that not everything must be seen from a non-Indian prism.”
He said in the later decades of independent India if the country had got the guidance of personalities like Subhash babu and Sardar Patel, “the conditions would vary greatly”. Mr Modi said that his government was changing that now.
“It is unfair to glorify one family, the contribution of several other great leaders was deliberately forgotten. It is high time more Indians knew about the historic role of stalwarts Sardar Patel, Babasaheb Ambedkar and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose,” he said.
The Congress on its part dismissed Mr Modi’s claim that they, while in power for several years, neglected the contribution of freedom fighters like Bose. Accusing the BJP-led Centre of using every “auspicious” occasion as a “political tool”, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi Sunday said the saffron party was “desperate to rewrite history”. Dr Singhvi further added that in August 1947, the first PM of India Jawaharlal Nehru raised the Indian national flag above Lahori Gate.