Modi calls for Pak's isolation over terrorism

Sending out a strong message to Pakistan in a veiled manner, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said those who patronised terrorism would not be tolerated.

He appealed to the world to isolate such countries and unite against the evil of terrorism.
Modi, who spoke at a public gathering for the first time after the surgical strike across the LoC, however, refrained from making a mention of the same in his 30-minute long speech.

Speaking after participating in the historic Aishbagh Ramlila (dramatic enactment of life and deeds of Lord Rama) here, Modi said that the world, which earlier did not pay attention when India talked about terrorism, started taking it seriously after the Mumbai terror attacks. “Once a US official, upon being told about terrorism in India, told me that it was a law and order issue,” Modi remarked.

“Terrorism cannot be completely defeated unless all the humanist forces come together and isolate those who indulge in terrorism...humanity will not survive if we do not tackle terrorism,” he said.

“We will not tolerate those who help and provide patronage to terrorism,” the prime minister added.  
Modi also referred to terrorism in Syria and mentioned about the picture of a Syrian girl, a victim of terrorism, to buttress his contention that terrorism was an “enemy of humanity”.

Drawing a verse from Ramayana, Modi said it was a ‘Jatayu’ (a bird), who had fought the first war against terrorism, when it fought Ravana, the king of demons, while the latter had kidnapped Sita. “We can learn a lesson or two from Jatayu,” he said.

Modi also appealed to the countrymen to be on the alert to thwart the nefarious designs of the terrorists.

He, however, made it clear that India was for peace and not war.

‘Wars necessary’
“Although wars become necessary at times, we are a country of Lord Krishna — who wielded chakra to kill enemies — and also Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Buddha, champions of peace and non-violence,” Modi added.

The prime minister said that the world was celebrating Girl Child Day on Tuesday and appealed to the people to save girls as he batted for equal rights to women in every field.

Modi charged the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) with “casteism” and “nepotism” and likened them to evils, same as those represented by Ravana, the demon king. 

Earlier, Modi performed ‘aarti’ and applied ‘tilak’ (vermilion) on the actors, who performed the roles of Lord Rama and Lakshman at Ramlila. He also witnessed briefly the killing of Ravana.

Modi became the first prime minister to attend Ramlila, which has a history of 400 years.