In his monthly radio programme, Modi said everybody will have to bow before the law. File photo
Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 27
In an apparent reference to violence in Haryana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said no one has the right to violate law and order in the name of faith and asserted that the guilty would not be spared.
(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)
In his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Modi said everybody will have to bow before the law.
He said the Constitution provides scope for redressal of all kinds of grievances.
“At a time, when the country is in the mode of celebrating festivals, news of violence from any part is naturally a matter of concern,” the Prime Minister said, clearly referring to the mayhem created by the followers of Gurmeet Ram Rahim, chief of Dera Sacha Sauda, in Haryana.
“This is a country of Lord Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi.
“This is a country of Sardar Patel, who devoted his life for the unity,” he said in the 35th edition of the ‘Mann ki Baat’ programme.
He said non-violence has been the foundation of the country for ages.
“Our ancestors have taught us ahimsa parmo dharma. I had said it from the Red Fort (in Independence Day speech) that in the name of faith, violence will not be tolerated. Whether the faith is religious, political or in favour of an individual or a tradition, nobody has the right to take the law into his own hands in the name of faith,” the Prime Minister said.
“I want to assure the country that no country, no government can tolerate anybody taking law into their hands, whether it is an individual or a group. Everybody will have to bow before the law. The law will determine accountability and the guilty will be punished,” he asserted.
Followers of Ram Rahim went on the rampage in Panchkula and some other parts of Haryana on last Friday after a CBI court convicted him of rape. Thirty-six people were killed and hundreds were injured in the violence.While greeting the people on festivals, the PM also made observations about issues like people bargaining with poor vegetable vendors or rickshaw pullers for small money.Replying to an observation made by Pune-based Aparna, he said every time people bargain with the poor for small money, it hurts their sentiments“Whenever we come in contact with ‘mehnatkash insaan’ (hardworking person), we start bargaining with them. But when we go to a big restaurant or a showroom, we don’t think twice while giving big amount. Have you ever thought about how the poor with whom you bargain for small amounts like Rs 2-3 must be feeling? I am sure it hurts him to know that people don’t trust him,” the PM saidMeanwhile, Modi also spoke about sports and remembered hockey wizard Dhyan Chand whose birthday falls on August 29. The day is observed as National Sports Day, and National Sports Awards such as Arjuna and Khel Ratna are conferred on select athletes by the PresidentThe Prime Minister also asked children to be out on play fields than spending time on play stations. “There were times when mothers would tell children to come home, now it is the other way round. They ask them when they will go out,” he saidModi also spoke about the National Sports Talent Search Portal, which will be officially launched by Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in the National Capital on Monday.Sports and Indian athletes have regularly figured in Prime Minister’s ‘Mann ki Baat’. Last time, he had mentioned India women’s cricket team’s historic runner-up finish at the World Cup in England.The PM also lauded the young lady officers of the Indian Navy who will be embarking on a world tour on the INS Tarini and also spoke on his pet topic cleanliness giving the slogan “swachchta hi sewa”.