Our nuke arsenal is not for Diwali: Modi

Talking about India’s nuclear capabilities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India has rejected Pakistan’s threatening policies as the neighbouring country used to warn of having a nuclear button

“Akhbaar wale bhi likhte the ki Pakistan ke paas nuclear button hai….hamare paas kya hai… to kya hamne apne nuclear bomb Diwali ke liye rakh hua hain (Even newspapers used to write, Pakistan has nuclear button, what we have got… then a question was, is India’s nuclear bombs meant for Diwali),” Modi told the gathering at Barmer Stadium.

Modi added that India missed a “golden opportunity” during the 1971 war to resolve the Kashmir dispute by releasing hundreds of Pakistani troops from the Indian Army’s custody.

“Pak troops were in our custody. A big area of Pakistan was also captured by Indian forces during the 1971 war but the Congress government lost it on the table in Shimla agreement and they were released,” he said.

Attacking the opposition parties he said: “We forced Pakistan to beg around the world. You think that I did what was right, but Congress and its allies think it was not right. They think terrorism and national security is just not the issue to discuss. They think that Modi should not talk of Indian honour and valour. Why? Am I here to attend a Bhajan Mandali?”

“While some people were busy preparing for candle light march [after Varthaman’s capture], we said, ‘Beware Pakistan. If our pilot suffers even a bruise [in your custody], then don’t tell the world later what Modi did,” Modi said talking about the airstrike and Wing Commander Varthman.

He also accused Congress of spreading lies and depriving the people of Rajasthan from availing major benefits under PM Kisan Nidhi Yojana, the economically backward class quota and Ayushmaan Bharat scheme by not sharing names of beneficiaries.