PM Narendra Modi: Kshatriyas sacrificed power for unified India

RAJKOT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed the contribution of the Kshatriya community in India’s struggle for independence in a rally he addressed in Jamnagar after seeking blessings of Jamnagar’s Jam Saheb Shatrushalyasinji.
Before proceeding to the venue, Modi met Jam Saheb who adorned him with a turban which he sported during his address.
“Upon reaching Jamnagar, went to the residence of Jam Saheb Shri Shatrusalyasinhji and had a wonderful interaction with him.Meeting him is always a delight. His warmth and wisdom are exemplary,” he wrote on micro-blogging site X.
“I need not say anything else after being given this turban. It’s like a prasad ( religious offering). He blessed me with and it’s certain now,” Modi said, reminiscing about former Jamnagar ruler Digvijaysinhji who gave shelter to Poland citizens during World War II. Narrating an anecdote when he was the chief minister of Gujarat, he said, “Kshatriya community leaders came to invite me for function in memory of Bhuchar Mori war. But a community leader told me that no CM came where the martyrs are honoured because it was believed that if any CM went there, he lost his position. But I considered the sacrifice of the Kshatriya community against my position of CM and I went there.”
“The Raja Maharajas sacrificed their power for a unified India and this country can never forget their contribution. But even after 75 years of independence, this important event of history was refuted,” he said.
He also mentioned the museum of royal families being constructed at Ekta Nagar near the Statue of Unity.
In a veiled attack on Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, he said when terrorists were killed in Delhi’s Batla House encounter, she wept for the jihadists.
Modi said they should not waste their vote on Congress even if they are upset with the BJP. “If no party is contesting on even 272 seats required to form the government, why are you wasting your vote on them.”
In Junagadh, Modi said had it not been for Sardar Patel’s valour, Junagadh would have been a part of Pakistan.
“Had Sardar Patel not been there, the Congress would not have worried about Gujarat and Junagadh might have have been a part of Pakistan today. We would not have the roar of Gir lions,” he said at an election rally in Junagadh.
He alleged that Congress loathed Gujarat and if it came to power they would give Kutch’s desert to Pakistan saying nobody lives there. “There are so many islands in the coastal area of Gujarat, where nobody lives. Congress can sell all those islands.”
“There are 1,300 islands in India, some bigger than Singapore. The BJP government want to develop some of these islands as there is a great potential for international tourists,” he said, alleging that the Congress could also sell the peaks of Himalayas as nobody lived there. He said the election of 2024 is important for making a developed India by 2047. “For me, 2024 election is not about Modi’s personal ambition but my mission,” he said.