Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about terrorism and gender bias in his speech at Aishbagh Ram Leela in Lucknow
This is the first time an Indian Prime Minister celebrated Dussehra outside Delhi
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav skipped the celebrations
‘Need to Treat Every Girl Child Like Sita’
Observing that women have left a mark in every area, Modi speaking at the event said there is need for working collectively against gender bias and treat every girl child like Sita.
He also reminded the crowd that while the country celebrates Vijaydashami, the rest of the world was celebrating International Day of the Girl Child.
Women need to be respected and treated right, no matter what religion or background one comes from. We keep burning one Ravana who kidnapped Sita. But on girl child’s day, we should think about how many daughters we kill in the womb.
Ramayana is Witness to the First Fight Against Terrorism
Speaking on the importance of the festival, which signifies the victory of good over evil, Modi said:
“It teaches us to root out all the evil in our mind, our system and our society, the way we burn Ravana”.
He added that the world needs to unite against terrorism as it has no boundaries. “If a country of 1.25 crore keep an eye on every terrorist activity, they will never succeed,” he said.
Modi likened social issues like filth, poverty and illiteracy to the metaphor of Ravana, saying that with burning the effigy of Ravana each year, we should also burn and root out these evils.
“We should end all our biases on the basis of religion, caste, class, they are products of Ravana.” Also in words high on symbolism, he added Ramayana is witness, that the first person to take up the fight against terrorism was Jataayu, who fought for a woman’s honour.
He further urged all present to try and get rid of the evil wherever possible, and even if they can’t be Ram, they should work towards becoming Jataayu.
Rajnath Addresses Crowds, Thanks Narendra Modi for Surgical Strikes
Rajnath Singh addresses the crowds gathered at the Ramlila Maidan in Lucknow, thanks Modi for his visit.
In an apparent reference to the surgical strikes across the LoC, the Home Minister thanked the Prime Minister for raising the nation’s head high with his strong actions.