‘PM equated Gorakhpur tragedy with other calamities', Congress slams Modi’s I-Day speech

The opposition Congress on Tuesday attacked PM Narendra Modi over his Independence Day speech.

New Delhi, August 15: Within a few minutes after the end of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech at the Red Fort in the national capital on Tuesday, the Congress immediately hit back at the PM over his remarks on the Gorakhpur hospital tragedy, "tall claims" on the Good and Services Tax (GST) and surgical strikes, to name a few.

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma told reporters that the PM trivialised the Gorakhpur hospital tragedy where around 70 children died in the last few days. "The PM in a very trivial manner equated the Gorakhpur tragedy to the other natural calamities, he should have been careful," said Sharma.

Modi, who was criticised for maintaining silence on the deaths of children allegedly due to lack of supply of oxygen at a government hospital in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, finally spoke about the tragedy during his Independence Day speech.

"In the last few days, some of our innocent children died in a hospital. All the countrymen stand together at this time," he said.

The Congress also slammed Modi for "taking credit" for the GST during his speech. "The PM was making tall claims on the GST. For seven years he and the Bharartiya Janata Party (BJP) in the opposition had stalled the GST," said Sharma.

Regarding the GST, Modi in his speech said that the latest tax reform was an example of co-operative federalism. Modi said that the reform will help the nation achieve higher growth without losing any momentum.

"Through the GST, the nation gave new direction to competitive federalism. Technology is a miracle. People wondered how the GST was rolled so fast across the country," Modi said. "After the GST enrolment, our truck drivers save 30 per cent of their time in travel now," he added.

Sharma again slammed Modi over "surgical strikes". "The PM mentioned surgical strikes in his speech, this is about a year old; after that repeated attacks and violations of ceasefire agreements took place in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan," he added.

Modi hailed the surgical strikes that took place on September 28, 2016, and reiterated that his government is serious about tackling various national security issues. "After the surgical strikes, the entire world had to acknowledge India's strength. The concern for national security is a natural one in an independent India," the PM said.

"Our security forces have always shown their capabilities whenever on duty. Whether it is terrorism or infiltrators, our security personnel have always been ready for sacrifice," Modi added.

OneIndia News