Earlier, only one family was glorified, today, everyone’s contribution is being honoured: PM

In a blistering attack on the Congress party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled here on Thursday that there was a time when statues of only one family were installed earlier. Contrasting this, he said, today, every prominent figure is honoured. He further said that previously, only one family was glorified, while the BJP has honoured everyone’s contribution (to nation-building).

The prime minister made these remark after inaugurating the Rashtriya Prerna Sthal here, unveiling the statues of Jan Sangh founder Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee and offering floral tributes to the leaders.

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Speaking on the occasion, Mr Modi said, “No one can forget how attempts were made to erase Ambedkar’s legacy. The ‘royal family’ of Delhi tried to erase it. The Samajwadi Party also did the same here, but the BJP did not allow it to be erased,” he alleged.

The Prerna Sthal features 65-foot-tall statues of Deendayal Upadhyaya, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Each statue weighs 42 tons. The Prerna Sthal was built in 65 acres of land at a cost of ₹220 crore.

PM Modi pointed out that Congress rendered the BJP untouchable while the BJP’s values teach respect for everyone. Its culture teaches us to respect everyone. Narasimha Rao and Pranab Babu were awarded Bharat Ratna. It is our government that honoured Mulayam Singh Yadav and Tarun Gogoi with national awards. No one can expect such a thing from the Congress or the Samajwadi Party. Under their rule, BJP leaders faced only humiliation.

He said that Uttar Pradesh is benefiting greatly from the BJP’s double-engine government. The state is creating its own identity in 21st-century India. “I am fortunate to be a Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh. The hardworking people of the state are writing a new future. Today, Uttar Pradesh is being discussed for its development. It is rapidly emerging on the tourism map. The magnificent temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya and the Kashi Vishwanath Dham are establishing a new identity for Uttar Pradesh globally. Places like the Rashtriya Prerna Sthal are also establishing a new identity for Uttar Pradesh. May Uttar Pradesh achieve greater heights in the form of good governance and prosperity. With this hope, congratulations once again for the Rashtriya Prerna Sthal.

Recalling the contribution of Sardar Patel, he said he was the one who integrated the princely states into India. But after independence, he lamented that his work and stature were diminished. “The BJP gave Sardar Saheb the respect he deserved. They built the world’s tallest statue of him,” he asserted.

He said, “Tribals were not given their due place earlier. Our government built a grand memorial of Lord Bisra Munda. There are many such examples across the country. A memorial to Maharaja Suheldev was built during the BJP government. The meeting place of Nishadraj and Lord Ram was honoured,” he claimed.

“Because of this, dynastic politics tends to diminish the standing of others. This very mindset started the practice of political untouchability in India. The country has had many Prime Ministers, but the contributions of many of them have been overlooked in the museum in Delhi. If you visit Delhi today, the magnificent Prime Minister’s Museum welcomes you. Every Prime Minister has been given due respect and support,” he said.

The prime minister said that the inspiration and visionary work of these three great men are the foundation of a developed India. “These statues are infusing us with new energy. We must not forget that in India, a tendency to associate every work with a single family flourished. Previously, only one family was glorified, with statues erected only for them. This was the way it was. The BJP has freed the country from this tendency of being held hostage by one family,” he added.

He said that the BJP honoured everyone’s contribution. “Today, a statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose adorns Delhi’s Kartavya Path Path of Duty. Another statue of Netaji stands where he hoisted the tricolor in the Andamans. No one can forget that attempts were made to erase Ambedkar’s legacy. Delhi’s royal family attempted to erase it. The Samajwadi Party also did the same here. But the BJP did not allow it to be erased,” he asserted.

PM Modi said, “Atalji was the one who accelerated telecom development in India. Today, India is one of the countries with the largest number of internet and mobile users in the world. Wherever Atalji is, he would be happy with this. In 11 years, India has become the world’s largest mobile phone manufacturer.”

“Atalji had a vision of connectivity which was the strength of 21st-century India. It was during his tenure that the campaign to provide roads to every village began. The Golden Quadrilateral campaign also began. Today, 800,000 km of roads have been completed in villages. Our Uttar Pradesh is establishing itself as a state of expressways. Atal ji initiated the Metro. Today, the Metro is making life easier for millions of people,” he pointed out.

PM Modi said, “Before 2014, 25 crore people were covered by government schemes. Today, 95 crore people are covered by this security shield. A large number of people in Uttar Pradesh have benefited from these schemes. Just as only a few people have bank accounts, so too.”

“Today is Atalji’s 101 birthday. It’s also a day of good governance. For a long time, slogans like “Remove Poverty” were considered good governance. But Atalji truly implemented good governance. Today, digital is so much talked about. He laid its foundation,” he added.

PM Modi said, “As independent India’s first Industry Minister, Dr. Mukherjee laid the foundation for economic self-reliance. He formulated the first industrial policy. He laid the foundation for industrialization in India. Look, in Uttar Pradesh, the One District, One Product” campaign is underway. The capabilities of small units are increasing. A massive defense corridor is being built in Uttar Pradesh. The BrahMos missile, which was showcased in Operation Sindoor, is now being manufactured in Lucknow. The day is not far when Uttar Pradesh’s defense corridor will be known worldwide.”

He also recounted how, decades ago, Pandit Deendayal envisioned Antyodaya (the ideal of Antyodaya). He believed that India’s progress would be measured by the smile of the person in the last row. “today, on this holy day, I pay my respectful homage to Mahamana Malviya, Atal ji and Maharaj Bijli Pasi,” he said.

“Today, I have the opportunity to inaugurate the RashtriyaPrerna Sthal. This site symbolizes the spirit that showed India the path of self-respect, unity, and service. The monumental statues of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Deen Dayal Upadhyay, and Atalji are as tall as the inspiration they convey,” he said, adding,

PM Modi began his speech with “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” an concluded on “Vande Mataram” chant.