Ekta Nagar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Opposition of acting as an 'Avrodh Paksh' (obstructive force) rather than a 'Virodh Paksh' (opposing group), and called for national unity while addressing the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations marking the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Speaking at the Parade Ground in Gujarat’s Ekta Nagar, Modi alleged that the Opposition was trying to divide the country and questioned its alleged links with forces opposed to India.
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In an apparent reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s foreign visits, he asked, “Who is secretly meeting whom in foreign countries? Forces opposed to India are extending their support to whom? Who is speaking the language of India’s enemies?”
Modi also accused some people of using social media to spread rumours and tarnish India's image. Referring to the government's efforts against Naxalism and Maoism, he said the country had fulfilled its promise to eliminate the insurgency but warned that the threat of 'dimagi Naxals' remained.
He said India's next priorities included securing its borders, stopping infiltration and demographic changes, and moving towards a secular civil code. 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' and 'Vikshit Bharat' were the country's two goals, he said.
The celebrations this year centred on the theme of ‘Naxal Mukt Bharat’, with around 2,000 artistes, including participants from 126 districts that were once affected by Maoist insurgency, staging a play depicting the transition from violence and fear to a Naxal-free India.
Titled ‘Naxal Mukt Bharat’, the production was choreographed by the National School of Drama (NSD) and directed by its director, Chittaranjan Tripathy. He said the play carried the message that the nation must come first, while differences and disagreements should be expressed without resorting to violence.
Tripathy said tribal communities from the region had participated enthusiastically and developed a connection with the police, helping facilitate the production.
Modi said Rashtriya Ekta Diwas gave the country the strength to move forward as one nation. He described Independence Day, Republic Day and Unity Day as three national festivals now celebrated with great enthusiasm.
Around 5,000 people from the 126 districts were invited to witness the celebrations. The parade featured 20 contingents of police forces, including specialised units that had been at the forefront of anti-Naxal operations.
These included the Bastar Fighters, Jharkhand Jaguars, Greyhounds, Maharashtra's C-60 commandos, Odisha's Special Operations Group and Karnataka's Anti-Naxal Force, among others. Six contingents of Central Armed Police Forces also participated, including units of the CRPF, its elite CoBRA force, the BSF, ITBP, SSB and CISF.
The march past was led by parade commander Subodh Mankar, followed by Shaurya Chakra awardees from the CoBRA unit and Jammu and Kashmir Police. LED screens along the route showcased short films highlighting the achievements of the participating forces.
The CRPF also presented a mixed contingent of women and men personnel, highlighting the role of both in anti-Naxal operations. Its CoBRA commandos had trained for 45 days for the parade, an official said.
The celebrations also featured 15 tableaux themed around the spirit of ‘Vande Mataram’, selected through national and district-level competitions. Brass bands from Maharashtra, Gujarat and Kerala performed patriotic music, while the cultural programme ‘Ek Bharat Anek Rang’, curated by the Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Gujarat government, brought together around 5,000 artistes presenting traditional dance forms from across the country.
A display by 225 motorcycle riders from various forces, followed by daredevil stunts by CRPF and SSB teams, was among the other highlights. Fireworks marked the conclusion of the celebrations.
The parade was held in the evening for the first time, with organisers citing high daytime temperatures and the opportunity to use visual displays on LED screens.
