India was trying to have cordial relations with Pakistan before the Kargil war but Pakistan being “wicked” in nature tried to backstab it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during his 67th episode of Mann Ki Baat on Sunday.
His episode coincided with the 21st anniversary of India’s victory against Pakistan in the Kargil war. Modi used the opportunity to not only pay tribute to Indian soldiers but also stressed that people should not hurt the morale of soldiers with their speeches, actions or posts on social media.
“Friends, India can never forget the circumstances under which this war was fought. Pakistan undertook this misadventure with sinister plans to capture India’s land and to divert attention from its ongoing internal conflicts. India was then trying to have cordial relations with Pakistan but as it is said, it is the nature of the wicked to have enmity with everyone for no reason,” said PM Modi.
“People of such nature think evil even of those who do good to them. That is why in response to India’s friendly endeavours, Pakistan tried to backstab. But the entire world witnessed the valour and strength of India’s brave forces.” The PM also made an appeal against social media posts that “demoralise Indian soldiers who fight for the country”. He also said these days wars are not only fought on borders but within the country too on multiple fronts simultaneously, and every countryman has to decide his or her role in it.
“Sometimes without grasping this aspect, we encourage such things on social media which harm the country. Many times we keep forwarding out of curiosity. Even when we know it’s not right, we keep on doing it,” he said.
Taking a dig at the opposition without naming anyone in particular, PM said: “These days, wars are not only fought on borders but also within the country on multiple fronts simultaneously and every countryman has to decide his role in it. We also have to decide our role keeping in mind the soldiers fighting in tough conditions on the border.”
Modi said what then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee said from the Red Fort during the Kargil war is still relevant. “Atalji had then reminded countrymen about the mantra of Mahatma Gandhi. Taking a cue from this thought of Gandhiji, Atalji had said: ‘Kargil war has given us another mantra that before taking any important decision we should think whether the action will honour that soldier who sacrificed his life in those treacherous mountains’.”
The PM stressed that “whatever we speak or do during times of war” deeply impacts the morale of the soldiers and their families, and hence “we must never forget this fact and that’s why our conduct, our behaviour, our aim and our words, comments should boost the morale and honour of our soldiers”.
He said if everyone follows the mantra of “nation above all” it will increase the strength of soldiers several thousand times. On the coronavirus pandemic, PM Modi said the country needs to remain vigilant as the threat is not over yet, though the situation is “better than others”.
“The recovery rate in our country is better than others. Our fatality rate is also much less compared to other countries. We were able to save the lives of lakhs of people. But the threat of coronavirus is not over yet.”
He said coronavirus is spreading fast in many places. “We need to be extra vigilant. We have to bear in mind that corona is as fatal today as it was in the beginning, and which is why we have to be fully cautious.”
