PM Modi says his Govt. running on principles laid down by Sant Tukaram’

Controversy erupts as NCP MP Supriya Sule accuses BJP and PMO for ‘not allowing’ Dy, CM Ajit Pawar to give his speech

@the_news_21

Mumbai: Arguing that India’s saints had kept the country’s progressive traditions alive and vibrant, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday stated that he was running his government on the teachings of the saints.

The Prime Minister who inaugurated the shila (rock) temple dedicated to the 17th century Bhakti (devotional) poet-saint Tukaram at latter’s birthplace in Dehu in Pune, said that Sant Tukaram’s abhangas (devotional poetry) continued to inspire and show the way even today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked, “Even today, Sant Tukaram’s abhangas show us the way and give us inspiration. The shila where Sant Tukaram did tapasya (penance) for 13 days and which has now become proof of his enlightenment is not just a rock but a symbol of devotion and knowledge. Dehu itself is not merely a devotional centre, but an excellent beacon of India’s cultural future.”

The shila (rock structure) was not formally structured as a temple, the temple has been rebuilt in stone masonry with 36 peaks housing the massive idol of Sant Tukaram inside it.

With today’s visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Prime Minister to visit Dehu near Pune. Prior to this, the only notable personage of similar stature to visit Dehu was the-then President Pratibha Patil, who visited the holy place during the 400th birth anniversary celebrations of Sant Tukaram.

Addressing a large gathering of warkaris (devotees) in Dehu, the Prime Minister remarked, “Sant Tukaram used to say that discriminating between human beings is the biggest sin, and therefore, my government is running on the principles of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’.”

On the dais, the Prime Minister was flanked by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Pune Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar and BJP Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Devendra Fadnavis.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi further said that in order to strengthen the country’s unity, it was the people’s collective responsibility to keep ancient traditions alive. He added further, “On the 75th year of our Independence, we are proud to be one of the world’s oldest civilizations. The credit for this goes to India’s saintly tradition, to our sages of yore. Our civilization is eternal because India is a land of saints. So, to strengthen our country’s unity, it is our responsibility to keep ancient traditions alive.”

During the course of the function, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was presented with a special memento on the occasion in the form of a ‘designer’ Tukaram pagadi (headgear) and uparne (shawl).

The Prime Minister reiterated his earlier announcement of developing the two ‘palanquin’ (palkhi) highways totalling more than 350 km. named after Sant Tukaram and Sant Dnyaneshwar. He added that the Central government would be spending over Rs. 11,000 crores to develop them.

In November last year, Modi virtually laid the foundation stone for the widening of five sections of National Highway (NH) 965 and three sections of NH 965G to four lanes. NH-965 is popularly known as the ‘Sant Dnyaneshawar Maharaj Palkhi Marg’ while NH 965G is also called the ‘Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Marg’ after the revered saints.

Meanwhile, a controversy has erupted after the event with the ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) for not letting Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar deliver his speech.

Baramati Lok Sabha MP and NCP leader Supriya Sule, who is also Ajit Pawar’s cousin, said it was highly improper and most unfortunate that while Devendra Fadnavis was allowed to speak before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ajit Pawar, who as Pune’s Guardian Minister was not given the chance to make his speech.

Supriya Sule remarked, “It is most unfortunate and an insult to Maharashtra that Ajit Pawar was not allowed to speak. As per protocol, it is his right as Maharashtra’s Deputy CM. Given that he is Pune’s Guardian Minister as well, he was present with the PM throughout the event as per protocol. As per my information, the PM’s office had not okayed Pawar speaking on the dais. This is highly improper.”

NCP MLC Amol Mitkari lashed out at the BJP and demanded that the PMO give an apology for this gaffe. An angry Mitkari remarked, “Why was Devendra Fadnavis, who is not a warkari, given the chance to speak while the State’s Deputy Chief Minister was ignored? This is an insult to Pawar’s post.”