PM Modi Attacks Oppn Over Rahul's 'Shakti' Remark, Says 'Will Sacrifice Life For Mothers & Sisters'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a scathing attack at the Opposition over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Shakti’ remark during a rally in Mumbai and said that he was willing to sacrifice his life for the mothers and sisters, who were the personified version of ‘Shakti’.

Addressing a public meeting at Telangana’s Jagtial, PM Modi raised questions at the INDIA bloc and asked “How can they talk about ‘Shakti Vinaash’ (destruction of Shakti) in India?” He asked the people of the state, whether they will support someone who wants to “challenge” Shakti?

“Yesterday, INDI Alliance hosted a rally in Mumbai. They declared that their fight is against ‘Shakti’,” the prime minister said, adding that “For me, every daughter, mother, and sister is a personification of ‘Shakti’”. 

He said that he would “risk his life” to protect these mothers and sisters who are the “embodiment of Shakti”. 

The PM maintained his stance while addressing another poll rally in Karnataka’s Shivamogga later in the day. “Yesterday (Sunday) in Mumbai Shivaji ground, INDI Alliance made an announcement that they want to destroy ‘Shakti’. If they want to destroy ‘Shakti’ then worshipping ‘Shakti’ is our resolve,” he said.

“When I heard the announcement to eliminate Shakti from Shivaji Park, I thought how it would have hurt Bal Thackeray’s soul,” he added.

TOP POINTS OF WHAT PM MODI SAID:

• Beginning his jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Shakti’ remark, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “It’s an honour for me that Nari Shakti has come here to bless and support me.” 
• “Yesterday, INDI Alliance hosted a rally in Mumbai. They declared that their fight is against ‘Shakti’; and for me, every daughter, mother and sister is a personification of ‘Shakti’,” PM Modi said. He said he “accepts the challenge” of those who raise their voice against ‘Shakti’, adding that he is “willing to sacrifice his life for Shakti”.
• The prime minister noted that he worships every mother and daughter in the form of Shakti, saying that “I will risk my life to protect these mothers and sisters who are the embodiment of Shakti.”
• Taking a swipe at the Opposition, PM Modi said that there are two groups of people in the league. One set talks about destroying Shakti and the other talks about worshipping Shakti. “The competition will be held on 4th June to see who can destroy Shakti and who can get Shakti’s blessings…” he added.
• He appealed to the people to ensure the Bharatiya Janata Party’s victory in the state during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. “On 13 May, you should remember that BJP must win! The more seats you give to BJP, the more it will fuel me to work even harder for you,” the prime minister said. 
• Addressing a poll rally in Karnataka’s Shivamogga, the Prime Minister noted that the announcement of “eradicating Shakti” was made at Shivaji Park where every child grows up with the Mantra of ‘Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji’.

WHAT WAS RAHUL GANDHI’S ‘SHAKTI’ REMARK?

Earlier on Sunday, while addressing the concluding ceremony of his ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hit out at the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) and compared them to the powerful Hinduism symbol of ‘Shakti’, which is often associated with Goddess Durga. Rahul said that the opposition’s fight is against that very ‘Shakti’.

“In Hinduism, there is a term called ‘Shakti’. We are fighting against that Shakti. The question is, what is that Shakti? The soul of the King is in the EVM. The soul of the King in the EVM and every institution of the country, in ED, CBI and Income Tax department,” said Gandhi in Mumbai.

Gandhi also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he works only for power. “Modi is a mask’ who works for a shakti’ (power). He is a shallow man who doesn’t have a 56-inch chest,” Gandhi said.

PM Modi Twisted My Words: Rahul Gandhi

After facing severe backlash over his “Shakti” remarks throughout the day, Congress’ Rahul Gandhi took to X to explain his stance via a post in Hindi.

“Modi ji does not like my words, he always tries to change their meaning by twisting them in some way or the other because he knows that I have spoken a deep truth. The power that I mentioned, is the power that we are fighting. Modi ji is the mask of that power,” he wrote.

“It is such a power that today it has captured India’s voice, India’s institutions, CBI, IT, ED, Election Commission, media, and the entire constitutional structure of India in its clutches,” he added.