Jammu, May 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday asserted that his biggest service to the Constitution of India was its implementation in Jammu and Kashmir after abrogating Article 370 and ensuring its unhindered flow there (in J&K).
In an interview to TV9 Network, going full throttle against opposition mainly Congress, PM Modi asked if those talking about the spirit of Constitution implemented it in Kashmir during their rule spanning around six decades.
“This is my poser to those who are making accusations against BJP that it is endangering the spirit of constitution – If you considered the Constitution as sacro-sanct, why did you not implement it in Kashmir during the last 75 years? Why did you create a wall of (Article) 370 in the Constitution to restrict the flow of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir? Secondly, in J&K, our Dalit brothers and sisters had not been accorded reservation rights during the last 70 years. So why did they not raise a whimper then? Our Adivasis (tribal people), women were deprived of all their rights, including reservation. They (Congress and other opposition parties) did not cry then. It was their (J&K’s) constitution which was being implemented there,” PM said in reply to a question about the opposition’s allegation that if BJP came to power with 400 seats, it would alter or abrogate the Constitution.
“They (Congress) are trying to give reservation on religion-basis, which is against the spirit of the constitution. They are trying to end or tamper reservation of SCs, STs and OBCs as they have done in Karnataka by including all Muslims under OBC category, through a Circular. My apprehension is and I want to know if a similar deal has been struck in Wayanad as well,” PM Modi said.
“Had it been our intention (to alter or abrogate the Constitution), we could have done it even during this tenure as NDA had over 360 seats and could manage around 400 seats, if BJD too joined our ranks. But for us, the Constitution is sacrosanct. Congress and its first family have violated the spirit of the Constitution time and again. Irony is- the first Prime Minister Pandit Nehru, who is hailed as the face of democracy, made the first constitutional amendment to restrict freedom of speech- a completely undemocratic exercise,” PM Modi maintained.
He stated that in fact, Congress used the constitution for power, vote-bank politics to maintain its monopoly in Indian political-scape and secondly for appeasement. In this context, he mentioned overturning of SC judgement in Shah Bano case, imposition of Emergency, repeated use of Article 356 and several other decisions.
When asked how 2024 elections were different from the elections of 2014 and 2019, PM said that the elections were not new to him as being intrinsic part of organisational structure of BJP, he was earlier associated with the conduct of elections. Later, he contested election and was entrusted to take over the reins of Gujarat by the party leadership as its Chief Minister. So in the 2014 election, when he was contesting (as the Prime Ministerial candidate), there was an element of curiosity and hope among the people. In 2019, this hope had turned into belief on the basis of performance which was outlined by hard work, consistency and clarity, which people had observed and experienced. “That hope of 2014 turning to belief in 2019 has become a ‘guarantee’ in 2024. This is the transition,” he said.
“In 2014, I visualised an opportunity to live up to expectations and hopes. In 2019, I went to people with my report card, which had enthused people. I lived up to their expectations. Now I’ve to address their aspirations and take them to a new level. I’m sure we’ll scale new heights as I’ve carved my path to this place against all odds, facing vitriolic onslaught of those who were in power at the Centre in 2014,” he said.
At the very outset of his interview, PM Modi stated that the spirit behind rechristening the address of PM’s residence (from 7 Race Course Road to 7 Lok Kalyan Marg) was to convey that the place did not signify “fulcrum of power” but it was a place dedicated to the service of people and from where originated policies of public welfare. “In fact, this is the actual spirit of democracy and I try to live every moment,” he said.
In response to a question about managing his hectic work schedule with campaigning, he said that he had trained himself as an individual used to multi-tasking. “I have a holistic and integrated approach to work. Probably Yoga has helped me in maintaining work balance,” he replied.
With regard to personal attacks by the opposition, PM Modi said that he had learnt to remain unfazed by such vitriolic verbal assault as his priority was to work for people.
Regarding I.N.D.I.Alliance, he stated that its focus was power and not the nation or its people. “Its leaders had turned this democratic exercise into a game of lies,” he said.
“I’ve no copyright on the word ‘guarantee’ but for me this word is a responsibility. Contrary to opposition, people believe my word as I’ve walked my talk; fulfilled my promises unlike the one whose father, grand-mother, great-grandfather too had talked of eliminating poverty but nothing happened on ground. People of this country are very wise. Whether they bring five or twenty-five guarantees, people are watching everything. People cannot be deceived,” he said, while responding to a question about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s guarantees.