New Delhi: Under fire from the opposition over escalating ceasefire violations by Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India has responded to the aggression with courage and lamented public debate on the issue for political gains.
"Today, when bullets are being fired on the border, it is the enemy that is screaming. Our jawans have responded to the aggression with courage," Modi said at an election rally at Baramati, the turf of NCP chief and former Defence Minister Sharad Pawar.
"The enemy has realised that times have changed and their old habits will not be tolerated," he said.
Read: Rahul Gandhi hits at BJP over ceasefire violations
He slammed those targeting the government on the issue through a public discourse, saying it demoralised the jawans fighting on the border.
"Such an issue should not be part of a political debate... Elections will come and go, governments will come and go, but please don't demoralise those fighting on the border by debating these things for political gains," he said.
"People know my intentions and I need not express those in words. Where the jawans have to speak, they speak with their finger on the trigger...and they will continue to speak that way," he said.
We have responded with courage to ceasefire violations: Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 9, 2014Issues like ceasefire violations should not be a matter of debate for political gains: PM.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 9, 2014Targeting Pawar, who had criticised him for holding poll rallies in Maharashtra when there was tension on the border, Modi said, "When you were the defence minister, there were problems with Pakistan and China on the border. Did you ever bother to go to the border then?"
Read: Border row: If Pak persists with ‘adventurism’, India will make costs ‘unaffordable’, says Arun Jaitley
"There have been terror strikes in Maharashtra during your tenure...Mumbai, Malegaon, Pune. You could not even reach the terrorists, leave alone catching them. In the spirit of patriotism, we never politicised the issue," he said.
Earlier, on Wednesday, Narendra Modi stated that 'everything will be fine' at the border. Eight civilians have been killed as Pakistan has fired on Indian army outposts and villages. Meanwhile, Pakistan claims it has lost nine civilians since the heavy fighting began four days ago.
Read: India gives fitting reply to unprovoked Pakistan shelling at border; toll India 8, Pak 12
Narendra Modi is holding a slew of rallies across Maharashtra, before the state goes to polls next week on October 15.
