Modi completely failed on national security front: Azad
New Delhi, May 26: Speaking on the work of Narendra Modi government that completed four years on Satutrday, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Prime Minister failed to keep his promise on national security and let down security forces.
"Kashmir is a state which was exploited by Modi most during the elections. In the recent past, ever since things had normalised in Jammu and Kashmir post 1996, highest number of security forces and civilians were killed in the four years of Modi government," Azad said at a press conference.
He was accompanied by several senior Congress leaders.
Attacking Modi on national security, Azad said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had used the issue of national security during the election campaign and exploited the nation in the name of national security.
"National security is an area on which Prime Minister spoke during the election campaign. He highlighted the importance of national security and exploited it to the hilt. And, he got the maximum votes in the name of national security.
"But where is national security today? The national security does not mean only the territorial integrity of the country. The national security means where people are safe and secure, it means where there is freedom of expression and freedom of press. But under Modi's government nobody is safe. Everybody is having sleepless nights," Azad said.
The Congress leader went on to remind the incidents of terrorist attacks on important locations like Pathankot, Uri and Nagrota, where dozens of security forces and civilians were killed.
Congress General Secretary Ashok Gehlot said: "No other Prime Minister has ever lowered down the dignity of the post of PM like Modi."
Party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala summed up Modi government's rule by saying, "treachery, trickery, revenge and lies are the four words that define Modi government's four years."
"Modi government spent Rs 4,600 crore on advertisements in the last four years," he added.
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NSF to hold rally in Kohima over 'Vande Mataram' directive
Kohima (PTI): The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) is scheduled to hold a public rally here on Monday in protest against the "compulsory imposition" of the national song, 'Vande Mataram', following a recent directive by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
According to the federation, the rally will be held at Old MLA Hostel Junction at Phoolbari from 10 am, during which participants will march to Lok Bhavan.
A memorandum highlighting the concerns and demands of the Naga people will be submitted to the President through the governor, it said.
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The NSF said the protest was prompted by a notification by the MHA on January 28 mandating that the revised national song be sung or played during official functions and in educational institutions.
Expressing concern over the directive, the NSF maintained that while the Naga people respect the national songs and symbols of all nations, the compulsory enforcement of 'Vande Mataram' raises concerns as the song carries religious and devotional imagery that may conflict with the beliefs and conscience of many in the state.
In its note, the federation stated that the Naga homeland has historically been a land of peaceful coexistence where people of different religions and communities have lived together in mutual respect.
It asserted that educational institutions should remain spaces of learning and dignity and should not become platforms where symbolic practices are enforced against the will of students and communities.
The federation has also directed all its units and subordinate bodies across Naga areas to organise peaceful demonstrations in their respective jurisdictions on the same day in solidarity with the Kohima rally.
