Darrang (Assam), September 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid homage to legendary singer Bhupen Hazarika during his birth centenary celebrations in Assam, while strongly criticising the Congress for allegedly belittling the Bharat Ratna recipient.
Addressing a gathering in Darrang, the Prime Minister said that while he has always endured personal attacks as a devotee of Lord Shiva, he cannot tolerate insults directed at others. Referring to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s 2019 remarks questioning the decision to honour Hazarika with the Bharat Ratna, Modi said the comments were an affront not only to Assam but to India’s cultural legacy.
“No matter how much abuse they hurl at me, I am a devotee of Lord Shiva — I absorb all that. But when someone else is insulted, I cannot tolerate it. The Government of India conferred the Bharat Ratna on Bhupen da, the pride of Assam and a son of India. Yet the Congress president mocked this honour, saying Modi is giving the Bharat Ratna to people known for dancing and singing,” the Prime Minister remarked.
Modi urged music and art enthusiasts across the country to question Congress on why it chose to disparage Hazarika, whom he described as a “true son of the soil.” He further reiterated the BJP government’s commitment to safeguarding Assam’s cultural heritage while ensuring its rapid development under the “double-engine” model.
The Prime Minister also hit back at Congress leaders for their remarks against him and his mother in the run-up to the Bihar assembly elections later this year.
“I know their entire ecosystem will say that Modi has started crying again. But if I cannot share my emotions with my God, with the people of this land, then with whom will I share them? You are my strength, my remote control — I have no other,” he told the crowd.
Earlier, on Saturday (September 13), Modi held a roadshow in Guwahati as part of his two-day visit to Assam. He also took aim at former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, stating that the commitments made to the people of the Northeast after the 1962 war with China had not been fulfilled.
Looking ahead, Modi declared:
“When we celebrate 100 years of independence, we must ensure that India has transformed into a Viksit Bharat.”
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