Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a blistering attack on the Congress over its criticism of ‘Operation Sindoor’, a recent Indian strike against terrorist hideouts. Addressing a public gathering at Banouli village in Sevapuri, Varanasi, PM Modi declared that “those who strike India won’t be spared, even if they hide in the netherworld.”
He inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 52 development projects worth ₹2,183.45 crore and also released the 20th installment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, benefitting over 9.70 crore farmers across the country.
PM Modi Slams Congress Over Operation Sindoor Remarks
Taking on the opposition, the Prime Minister said: “It is unfortunate that some people in our own country are in pain over the success of Operation Sindoor. The Congress and its cheerleaders cannot digest that India destroyed terrorist camps. They called it a ‘tamasha’ (drama). I want to ask, can ‘sindoor’ — a symbol of honour — ever be a spectacle? Should we wait for permission to kill terrorists? Should I call up SP and ask if we can take action?”
Amid loud cheers from the crowd, PM Modi drew parallels between the spiritual and strategic identity of India: “New India worships Lord Shiva and becomes Kaal Bhairav for its enemies. I am proud that BrahMos missiles will now be made in UP, in Lucknow. If Pakistan dares again, these missiles will finish the terrorists.”
He credited the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh for making the state a development model and instilling fear among criminals. “Today, when UP is marching ahead, it’s because of the policies of the BJP government,” he said, lauding CM Yogi Adityanath for transforming the law-and-order situation.
Urging citizens to adopt swadeshi (indigenous) products, PM Modi said: “We must take a pledge to buy goods made with Indian sweat. Let every new item in our homes be made in India. We must be vocal for local and boost the Make in India movement.”
He also highlighted the success of Jan Dhan Yojana: “Fifty-five crore bank accounts were opened for people who had never seen a bank before. Now, we are completing 10 years of this scheme, and banks are running KYC campaigns reaching even remote gram panchayats. In just one month, over one lakh bank teams have visited villages.”
Development Push: Projects Worth ₹2,183 Crore Inaugurated
PM Modi announced that Rs 20,500 crore was directly credited to the accounts of more than 9.70 crore farmers across the country under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. In Varanasi alone, 2.21 lakh farmers benefitted.
He noted that since the scheme’s inception, Rs 3.75 lakh crore has been transferred to farmers nationwide, including ₹90,000 crore to 2.5 crore farmers in Uttar Pradesh and ₹900 crore to those in Varanasi.
The Prime Minister also reiterated his government’s commitment to empowering women through self-help groups: “We are going to create three crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’ (women earning over ₹1 lakh annually). This figure alone will make the Samajwadi Party pedal away on their bicycles!”
As the event concluded, chants of “Modi, Modi” echoed through the air, highlighting the enthusiastic reception the Prime Minister received in his parliamentary constituency.
