Phulbari: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday listed the numerous occasions his government has come to the rescue of Indian Christians living on foreign shores to prove that his party is not anti-Christian, as accused by the Opposition.
In his 42-minute speech at Phulbari in West Garo Hills, which was attended by over 25,000 people, Modi said his government has in several operations rescued Indians belonging to the Christian community from the clutches of terrorists in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan.
Citing the example of Father Tom Uzhunnalil, a Catholic priest from Kerala, Modi said, "Father Tom, who was spreading the message of Christianity in Yemen, was kidnapped by terrorists (in 2016). The Indian government made tireless efforts to rescue him. We also urged nations having cordial relationship with Yemen to save Father Tom. We freed him and got him back. His heath was deteriorating and we provided for his medical care as well." He also cited the rescue of 46 nurses from Kerala who were taken hostage by militants in Afghanistan in July 2014.
This was Modi's maiden election rally in Garo hills, which saw a severe protest against beef ban last year.
Modi, whose party, the BJP, is often charged with taking a pro-Hindu stand, accused chief minister Mukul Sangma of playing communal politics. "Dr Sangma does not believe in taking everyone along in the path of development," he said.
Modi slammed the Congress government for dilapidated roads, under-developed heath and tourism sectors. Saying that 80 per cent of the central funds given to the state are meant for development, he alleged that no development is visible in the state which means all the funds go into the pockets of Congress leaders.
"What is the reason that even if crores of rupees are released by Delhi for roads, there is no road to be seen in Meghalaya? Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, we have provided Rs 470 crore for construction of 1,100km roads but the Meghalaya government could not complete even 50 per cent of the work," he alleged.
Modi announced Rs 180 crore for renovation of Shillong airport, houses for the landless and heath insurance worth Rs 5 lakh for every person, among other projects.
Earlier, speaking at an election rally at Tuensang in Nagaland, 360km from state capital Kohima, Modi said a BJP-NDPP government would plug the loopholes which were causing wastage of public money and work towards improving road connectivity.
He said the Centre has plans to invest more than Rs 10,000 crore in the roads of Nagaland and Rs 1,800 crore for making the Kohima a smart city.
