Modi leads tributes to Pulwama soldiers

On 2nd anniversary of attack, indigenous Arjun Main Battle Tank handed over to the Indian Army

CHENNAI: On his first visit to Chennai after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) affirmed its alliance with the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in poll-bound Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a raft of infrastructure projects, even as he paid tributes to 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers killed in a terrorist attack in Pulwama in 2019.

At Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, Modi quoted Tamil philosopher Subramania Bharati to recall the Pulwama terror attack that took place two years ago, leaving 40 CRPF men dead.

“Inspired by his (Bharati’s) vision, India has undertaken a massive effort to become self-reliant in the defence sector,” Modi said after handing over the indigenous battle tank Arjun Mark 1A to the Indian Army. “A tank made in Tamil Nadu will be used in our northern borders to keep the nation safe. This showcases India’s united spirit – Bharat’s Ekta Darshan.”

The Prime Minister said the country was proud of its security forces as he paid tribute to the CRPF troopers killed in the terror attack in Pulwama two years back. “No Indian can forget this day. Two years ago, the Pulwama attack happened. We pay homage to all the martyrs. We are proud of our security forces and their bravery will continue to inspire generations,” he said at a function. He said the country’s armed forces had shown time and again they were fully capable of protecting “our motherland”.

“Time and again they have also shown that India believes in peace, but India will protect sovereignty at all costs. Sainya shakti and dhairya shakti (strength and courage) of our forces are remarkable,” the PM said. Modi’s speech stressed “Aatmanirbharta” (self-reliance) in the defence and infrastructure sector and of the provision in the Union Budget for Tamil Nadu of ₹63,000 crore for Phase 2 of the Chennai Metro Rail. He said the Metro rail network was “one of

the largest projects sanctioned for any city in one go”.

He praised Tamil Nadu’s farmers “for record foodgrain production and good use of water resources”, quoting Tamil poet Avvaiyar on water conservation, which he said was a global issue. Modi’s speech highlighting central schemes that have benefitted Tamil Nadu indicates that the BJP will adopt development as its main plank in the assembly elections due to take place in April-may. BJP chief JP Nadda affirmed the alliance with the AIADMK at a rally in Madurai on January 30.

Modi often quotes Tamil philosophers and poets at official functions on his visits to Tamil Nadu, his party’s defence against criticism that it is essentially a north Indian party. In January, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked Modi, the BJP and its ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, for allegedly disrespecting Tamil people. Modi announced that the Centre had accepted a demand by members of the Devendrakula Velalar community that they should be known by their heritage name, a day after a bill to modify the list of Scheduled Castes in Tamil Nadu was introduced in the Lok Sabha. The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill 2021, proposed by the state government, would group together seven castes to be known as the Devendrakula Velalar.