BJP is beneficiary of freedom struggle, criticises Nehru out of inferiority: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Nov 14: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the BJP is a beneficiary of the freedom struggle but it criticises the first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru out of 'inferiority'.
Participating in the 134th birth anniversary of Nehru at the Congress office here, Siddaramaiah said the former PM had great faith in democracy and Constitution and used to accept harsh criticism.
"BJP is the beneficiary of freedom struggle. Not a single member of the saffron party fought for the freedom of the country and went to jail," Siddaramaiah told the gathering.
"The BJP out of inferiority and fear that it did not participate in the freedom struggle, they have made it a point to criticise Nehru, who was the Prime Minister of the country for 17 years after spending nine years in jail as a freedom fighter," he added.
According to Siddararamaiah, Nehru believed in discussion and dialogue and he used to accept the harsh criticism of those who were working hard to strengthen democracy very tolerantly.
Hailing Nehru as a great personality, the CM said the former PM laid a solid foundation for India to hold its head high at the global level.
The establishment of educational institutions, science and research institutes, technology, universities and agricultural development were Nehru's achievement.
"When the country got independence, there was nothing here. There were no educational institutions. There was no irrigation system. But as the first Prime Minister of the country, Nehru was the one who built India economically, socially and as a democratic country," the CM explained.
Siddaramaiah recalled that Nehru built educational institutes, science and research institutes, technical colleges, medical institutes, dams and hospitals and said all that was necessary for building a modern India.
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India describes attack on Fujairah 'unacceptable'
New Delhi (PTI): India on Tuesday described the wounding of three Indians in an attack on the United Arab Emirates' port city of Fujairah as "unacceptable" and pressed for an immediate cessation of hostilities targeting innocent civilians.
New Delhi's reaction came a day after the Indians were injured after a drone attack caused a fire at a major oil industry zone in Fujairah. The UAE had accused Iran of carrying out the strike.
"The attack on Fujairah that resulted in injury to three Indian nationals is unacceptable," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
"We call for immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians," the spokesperson said.
Jaiswal said India continued to stand for dialogue and diplomacy to deal with the situation so that peace and stability could be restored across West Asia.
"We also call for free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz in keeping with international law. India stands ready to support all efforts for a peaceful resolution of issues," he said.
The attack on Fujairah city came as the ceasefire between the US and Iran came under strain in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas pass, remains a major sticking point in the talks. Shipping through the narrow Gulf waterway has been severely disrupted by the conflict, triggering a sharp increase in oil prices and energy shortages in several countries.
The UAE's defence ministry on Monday said its air defence systems engaged 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched from Iran.
The ministry affirmed that it "remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country."
