Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rejected the ‘North vs South’ divide and said that diversity is India’s strength and should be celebrated.
In an interview with ANI, Modi also touched upon the cultural aspects and said that it is Tamil Nadu that has the most places named after Lord Ram. He said, “Which part of India has the most number of villages associated with Lord Ram’s name? Tamil Nadu…Diversity is our strength, we should celebrate it.”
Modi’s remarks come just days ahead of the first round of voting in the seven-phase 2024 Lok Sabha elections on April 19. The final round of voting will be held on June 1. The counting of votes will take place on June 4 and results are expected the same day.
The ‘North vs South’ divide refers to the perceived differences between northern and southern Indian states in terms of economic contribution, growth, development, and culture. The critics of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have also frequently flagged that it remains a North India-centric party with little electoral presence in southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Rejecting such as a perception, Modi said that viewing of India in different units as “mindless”. He further said that India is a “bouquet where everyone can see their flower” and such a sentiment should be harboured.
Modi further said, “India is a country of diversity…Viewing India as different units is a result of mindlessness regarding India. Which part of India has the most number of villages associated with Lord Ram’s name? Tamil Nadu…How can you term it a separate (unit)?…There is diversity. An individual from Nagaland will not be like a person from Punjab. A person from Kashmir will not be like a Gujarati. Diversity is our strength, we should celebrate it. India is a bouquet where everyone can see their flower. That is the sentiment which should be harboured.”
In the interview, Modi also recalled his time spent in a temple in South India during the 11-day ritualistic period before the consecration ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in January.
“I went to Srirangam Temple [Ranganathaswamy Temple] in South India. I studied Kamba Ramayana there. Then the people there told me, ‘Sir, 800 years ago, when Kamba Ramayana was created, the first recitation took place at this very place.’ What I experienced in the South, people here don’t have an idea of the faith and devotion there and how pious it is,” said Modi.
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Watch: PM Modi rejects ‘North vs South divide’, says viewing India in different units ‘mindless’
