India's internal security under threat: Rajnath

Jhansi, Aug 9 (UNI) Observing that the country's internal security was in peril, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh today said India was facing social and cultural onslaught both from within and outside.

''By indulging in vote bank politics, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime at the Centre is compromising with country's self respect,'' Mr Singh said at a 'Veerangana Naman Samaroh' organised by BJP Mahila Morcha near the historical Jhansi Fort on India's 150th independence anniversary.

The BJP leader alleged ''under Congress rule, the nation is plagued by inflation, corruption, unemployment and terrorism, while naxalism is mushrooing in 177 districts.'' Talking about the 1857 first war of independence, Mr Singh noted Rani Laxmibai fought the British bravely and did not allow them to enter Jhansi till she was alive. Each and every woman should take a lesson from her.

He added ''BJP's main aim is to awaken the women power in every nook and corner of the country...the party respects women. The centrally presented Women Reservation Bill in Parliament could not see light of the day, following anti-women policies of the non BJP parties.'' UNI