Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday pledged that the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack will receive justice, asserting that the terrorists and conspirators responsible for the killings of 26 civilians would be served the harshest punishment.
Addressing the nation in the 121st episode of his monthly radio program 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi said, &ldquo;The blood of every Indian is boiling by looking at the pictures of the attack.&rdquo; He stressed that the country&rsquo;s unity and the solidarity of its 140 crore citizens is its greatest strength in the ongoing fight against terrorism. &ldquo;This unity is the basis of our decisive fight against terrorism,&rdquo; he said.
The Prime Minister described the attack in the renowned tourist town in Kashmir as reflecting the desperation and cowardice of the patrons of terrorism, referring to Pakistan, at a time when peace was returning to the Valley, vibrancy had returned to its schools and colleges, construction work had gained unprecedented momentum, democracy was becoming stronger, tourist numbers were increasing at a record pace, people's incomes were rising, and new opportunities were being created for the youth.
Modi said, &ldquo;Enemies of the country, the enemies of Jammu and Kashmir did not like that. Terrorists and the masterminds of terror want Kashmir to be destroyed again and hence they executed such a big conspiracy.&rdquo;&nbsp;
He expressed deep anguish over what he termed the biggest terror attack on civilians in Kashmir in a long time, stating that the incident had hurt every citizen of the country.
&ldquo;Every Indian is feeling deep sympathies for the affected families, no matter which state one belongs to or which language one speaks,&rdquo; he said. The Prime Minister added, &ldquo;I can feel that the blood of every Indian is on the boil after seeing the pictures of the terrorist attack. I once again assure the affected families that they will get justice, and justice will be definitely done. The perpetrators and conspirators of this attack will be served the harshest punishment.&rdquo;
Modi emphasized the need for national resolve and unity in the face of terrorism. &ldquo;We have to strengthen our resolve to face this challenge before the country. We have to demonstrate a strong willpower as a nation. Today the world is watching that after this terrorist attack the whole country is speaking in one voice,&rdquo; he said.
The Prime Minister noted that the attack had drawn condemnation from the international community, stating that leaders from around the world had called him, written letters, and sent messages condemning the attack and offering condolences to the families of the victims. &ldquo;The whole world stands with 140 crore Indians in our fight against terrorism,&rdquo; he said.
The attack, carried out on April 22 in Pahalgam, saw terrorists gun down at least 26 civilians, most of whom were tourists, sparking nationwide outrage and a demand for a strong response from the government, particularly against Pakistan, which has a history of training and arming terrorists and sending them across the border.
During the same address, Modi reflected on the historical significance of the months of April and May in India's freedom struggle. &ldquo;Today is the last Sunday of April. The month of May is beginning in a few days. I will take you back around 108 years from today. The year 1917. In the two months of April and May, a unique battle for Independence was being fought in the country. The atrocities of the British were at their peak. The exploitation of the poor, the deprived, and the farmers had crossed inhuman levels,&rdquo; he said.
He spoke of the struggles faced by farmers in Bihar, who were forced by the British to cultivate indigo, leading to soil degradation. &ldquo;On the fertile land of Bihar, the British were forcing the farmers to grow indigo. The farmers' fields were turning barren due to indigo cultivation, but the British government was least concerned. In such a situation, Gandhiji reached Champaran in Bihar in 1917,&rdquo; he said.
Recalling Gandhiji&rsquo;s arrival, Modi shared, &ldquo;The farmers told Gandhiji, 'Our land is dying, we are not getting food grains to eat.' The pain of lakhs of farmers made a resolve come up in Gandhiji's mind. From there, the historic Satyagraha of Champaran started.&rdquo;&nbsp;
He added, &ldquo;Champaran Satyagraha was the first big experiment by Bapu in India. Bapu's Satyagraha shook the entire British rule. The British had to suspend the law that forced farmers to cultivate indigo. This was a victory that infused new confidence in the freedom struggle.&rdquo;
The Prime Minister paid tribute to Dr Rajendra Prasad, India's first President, for his contribution to the Champaran Satyagraha, and encouraged young people to read Dr Prasad&rsquo;s book, 'Satyagraha in Champaran,' describing it as essential to understanding the history of the struggle.
Modi also highlighted other key events tied to April, noting, &ldquo;Many more indelible chapters of the freedom struggle are associated with April itself. Gandhiji's 'Dandi March' culminated on April 6 itself. This march, which commenced on March 12 and continued for 24 days, had shaken the British. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place in April itself. The marks of this blood-stained history are still present on the soil of Punjab.&rdquo;
Looking ahead to May, he pointed to the upcoming anniversary of the first battle of India's Independence. &ldquo;In a few days, on May 10, the anniversary of the first freedom struggle would also be there. The spark that arose in that first battle for freedom later became a torch for millions of freedom fighters,&rdquo; he said.
The Prime Minister remembered Babu Veer Kunwar Singh, a hero of the 1857 revolution, whose death anniversary falls on April 26. &ldquo;The entire country derives inspiration from this great freedom fighter of Bihar. We have to keep alive the immortal inspirations of lakhs of such freedom fighters. The energy we receive from them provides renewed strength to our resolve of Amrit Kaal,&rdquo; Modi concluded.
(With inputs from IANS)
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Modi Assures Justice for Pahalgam Victims, Reflects on India's Freedom Struggle in 'Mann Ki Baat' Address

Blood of Every Indian Boiling After Attack: Modi

Modi Assures Justice for Pahalgam Victims, Reflects on India's Freedom Struggle in 'Mann Ki Baat' Address

April 27, 2025 | 14:56 IST