Uri will never be forgotten
In a veiled dig at Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif, who many see as a dove turned hawk, Modi said today’s rulers (of Pakistan) read out from the text on Kashmir, written by “patrons of terror”.
The world has no expectations from such rulers, he said, in an indication of New Delhi’s disenchantment with the civilian leadership in Islamabad.
Modi was speaking at a public rally in Kozhikode, a coastal town in Kerala, which is hosting a meeting of the BJP’s national council, the party’s highest policy-making body.
Modi’s hard talk against Pakistan came amid growing clamour for a muscular response to the Uri attack with even a senior party leader calling for a “jaw-fortooth” stand. The BJP is under pressure from some of its cadres to walk its tough talk on Pakistan while in the opposition.
“In the world when reports of terrorism come, then this news also follows that the terrorists came from that (neighbouring) country, or like Osama bin Laden, have found a hideout there,” Modi said at the rally attended by BJP president Amit Shah and several Union ministers.
“Pakistan’s rulers should know that the sacrifice of our 18 soldiers will not go to waste… Terrorist should listen that India will never forget,” he said, in what many saw as a veiled threat to Pakistan. The PM reminded the people of Pakistan that their ancestors revered the same land before Partitionin1947.Heexhortedthem to ask their “rulers” why they were misleadingthemonKashmirwhen they are not able to keep their own house in order — in Pakistanoccupied Kashmir, Bangladesh (erstwhile East Pakistan), Sindh, Gilgit and Pukhtunistan.
“Both countries became Independent together. People in Pakistan should ask their rulers why India is an exporter of software while your rulers export terrorism,” Modi said. This is being seen as India’s strategy to pin Pakistan down by highlighting its internal problems. Modi unfolded the strategy in his Independence Day address in August by raising the issues of human rights violations in Balochistan and PoK.