Stand true to your words Pathan, PM Modi tells Imran Khan

Tonk (Rajasthan): Breaking his silence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday disapproved of the attacks on Kashmiris in some parts of the country in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack and underlined that “our fight is for Kashmir, not against Kashmiris”, who too are victims of the scourge.

Addressing a rally in Rajasthan’s Tonk, Mr Modi also threw a challenge to his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan, asking him to bring to justice those responsible for the Pulwama terror attack and put into practice his promise.

Recalling his conversation with Mr Khan on phone after his election, Mr Modi said, “I told him there have been plenty of fights between India and Pakistan. Pakistan got nothing. Every time, we won. I told him let us fight against poverty and illiteracy. He told me, ‘Modiji, I am the son of a Pathan. I speak true and I do true’. The time has come for him to stand true to his words,” he said.

Pathans, an ethnic group with roots in Iran, are known for their deep sense of honour and self-respect.

The Prime Minister asserted that the enemies of humanity must be “taught a lesson” and that he is engaged in ensuring that Pakistan is isolated globally.
He referred to the mood of “veer ras” (bravery and heroism) in the country after the Pulwama attack, particularly mentioning social media.

“But our fight is against terrorism, against the enemies of humanity. Our fight is for Kashmir, not against Kashmir, not against the Kashmiris,” he added.