Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, 31st October 2024— Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned Thursday against forces within and outside India aiming to destabilize the nation and spread anarchy. Speaking near the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Narmada district, Modi asserted that these groups are attempting to tarnish India’s global image and divide the country along caste lines.
“Some forces in and outside India are trying to destabilize the country, spread anarchy, and create a negative image worldwide,” Modi said.
Addressing a gathering on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, he paid tribute to India’s first Home Minister, mentioning Patel’s role in unifying the nation. Since 2014, October 31 has been observed as ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas,’ or National Unity Day.
Modi urged citizens to recognize and confront the influence of “urban Naxals,” whom he described as a new iteration of extremists working to divide the nation. “As Naxalism declines in the jungles, a new model of urban Naxals is emerging. Today, these forces target even those who advocate unity as a means of safety. We must identify and expose these urban Naxals,” he said.
Reflecting on Sardar Patel’s legacy, Modi noted that although some doubted India’s unification, Patel made it a reality. Modi announced plans to commemorate Patel’s 150th birth anniversary over the next two years, calling it an opportunity to honor his vision.
Modi noted the government’s initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s unity and democratic framework, mentioning efforts to implement a uniform civil code and the concept of “one nation, one election.”
He also remarked on recent developments in Jammu and Kashmir, where, for the first time in 70 years, a chief minister took an oath on the Indian Constitution. “Thanks to our efforts over the past decade, Naxalism is on the decline,” he added, underscoring the government’s commitment to curbing extremism and fostering a unified India.
