Modi hoists National Flag, vows to secure land rights for tribals

Mehsana, Gujarat, Aug 15 (UNI) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today unfurled the National Tricolour at the police parade grounds here on the occasion of the 61st Independence Day with a promise to secure land rights for the tribals in the state.

Gujarat is the only state which has allowed tribals to cultivate forest land, the Chief Minister said in has address.

However, the proposal of granting land rights to 4,000 tribals is pending with the Centre for the past three years, Mr Modi said. ''If the Central Government does not arrive at a decision in this regard by October 2, the Gujarat government will proceed unilaterally and accord land rights to the tribals, unmindful of the the legal consequences.'' he added.

Mr Modi alleged that the Centre had adopted a step-motherly attitude towards Gujarat. The state will not tolerate such ''injustice'', he warned.

''After Independence, our rulers have adopted selfish votebank politics,'' Mr Modi said and added that the pseudo-secularism practised has harmed the cherished dreams of freedom fighters and Constitution framers.

Deriding religion-based reservation, Mr Modi said equal importance should be given to all religions. He stressed the need for a common civil code.

Referring to the upsurge in terrorism activities, Mr Modi said the Gujarat Government has passed the GUJCOC bill to deter such acts.

Mahatma Gandhi had preached ''Safety of Cow'' but it is sad that the Central Government is neglecting the safety of the cow, he said.

UNI