NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing the party of harbouring deep hatred towards him and insulting constitutional values by raising slogans such as “Modi teri kabr khudegi” (Modi, your grave will be dug).
Replying to the Motion of Thanks on President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Modi said that those who speak of running a “mohabbat ki dukaan” (shop of love) were indulging in abusive and hostile sloganeering.
“On one hand, I am working to create new opportunities for the country’s youth, and on the other, the Congress is organising programmes to dig Modi’s grave,” the Prime Minister said. “Is this not an insult to the Constitution? Is this not an insult to humanity and the dignity of public life?” he asked, adding that the Opposition showed no regret.
Modi said that since he assumed office in 2014, there has not been a single session of Parliament in which he was not abused. “If someone asks me the secret of my health, I say I consume two kilograms of abuse every day,” he remarked amid laughter from treasury benches.
Calling the slogan a reflection of deep-rooted animosity, Modi said, “This is not just a slogan. It exposes the hatred within them.”
The Prime Minister linked the criticism against him to major policy decisions taken by his government, including the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, development initiatives in the Northeast, counter-terror operations, and decisive action against Maoist insurgency.
“We respond to Pakistani terrorists by entering their homes. We carried out Operation Sindoor. We are taking courageous steps to free the country from Maoist terror. Is this why they want to dig Modi’s grave?” he asked.
Modi also termed the Indus Water Treaty a “grave injustice” committed by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and said its abolition by his government had further angered the Congress.
“Their real problem is that they cannot digest how Modi became Prime Minister. And now, they cannot accept why he is still here,” Modi said, adding that the Congress believes the post of Prime Minister is the fiefdom of one family.
Accusing the party of having little regard for the Constitution, Modi said, “They think prime ministership is their ancestral right. This frustration is reflected in their slogans.”
Highlighting his government’s welfare initiatives, the Prime Minister said 25 crore people had been lifted out of poverty, electricity had reached 18,000 villages that never had power, and unprecedented support had been extended to the armed forces.
“Our government opened its coffers for the soldiers and promised them everything they need. Is that why they want to dig Modi’s grave?” he asked.
Drawing a contrast with previous governments, Modi said, “Their government was run by a remote control. My government is also run by a remote control — the 140 crore people of this country.”
“The aspirations and dreams of 1.4 billion citizens guide us. Power is not a path to happiness for us; it is a means of service,” he said.
Modi asserted that with the blessings of crores of Indians, no one would be able to “dig his grave” regardless of how many slogans were raised. He said his government remained focused on strengthening the present and realising the vision of a developed India.
