Continuing his attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed on Sunday that those in power after Independence could not understand the significance of places of worship and set a trend of being ashamed of their own culture for political reasons. Addressing a massive rally in Guwahati after unveiling projects worth Rs 11,600 crore, Modi said no country can progress by erasing its past. He had slammed the Congress at a rally in Bhubaneswar a day earlier.
Regarding the Kamakhya temple corridor project, which is to be developed by the Centre at a cost of Rs 498 crore, Modi said that once completed, a large number of devotees would visit the Shakti Peeth, boosting the tourism sector of the entire Northeast.
“It will serve as the gateway to the North-East. Despite facing challenges over thousands of years, these symbols of our culture showcase how we have preserved our heritage. Unfortunately, many of these culturally significant symbols now lie in ruins,” Modi expressed.
He mentioned that the “Kamakhya Divyalok Pariyojana” would bring about a significant transformation in the pilgrimage experience to the Shakti shrine.
The Prime Minister asserted that those who governed the country for an extended period after Independence failed to comprehend the value and significance of places of belief, neglecting them. He pointed out that, driven by political gains, there was a trend of distancing themselves from their own culture and history. Stressing the importance of preserving the past and maintaining roots for national development, he said, “However, the situation has changed in the last 10 years.” Modi added that the BJP-led “double-engine” government is committed to a policy of both development and protection of heritage.
He cited Assam as an example, saying that it is a place where beliefs, spirituality, and history are intertwined with modernity. Modi mentioned that the projects he unveiled will enhance connectivity not only in the North-East but also throughout the rest of South Asia.
“Today, the youth aspire to witness the development of Assam and the North-East on par with South Asia. Your dream is Modi’s commitment. Modi will spare no effort to fulfill your dream. This is Modi’s guarantee,” the Prime Minister added.
Modi also highlighted that peace has returned to Assam in the last decade, with over 7,000 individuals laying down their arms and reintegrating into the mainstream.
“More than 10 major peace accords have been signed. At one point, I worked in Assam for the party. I witnessed incidents such as road blockades and bomb blasts in Guwahati with my own eyes. Those are matters of the past now,” he said.
Modi mentioned that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA), has been withdrawn from many areas in the State as well as the region. “A record number of tourists have visited the North-East in the past decade. We are launching a new scheme to uplift historical places, which is why we have focused on tourism in this year’s budget. There is a significant opportunity in Assam and the Northeast for that,” he said.
The Prime Minister claimed that expenditure for developmental activities in the region has quadrupled in the last 10 years. “This was not done earlier, even when the prime minister was elected from Assam,” Modi stated without explicitly mentioning former PM Manmohan Singh, who was a Rajya Sabha member from the State.
