Pakistan and the World Have Seen What Happens when Vermilion Turns into Gunpowder: Modi

Manas Dasgupta

NEW DELHI, May 22: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asserted that the country’s enemies and the world have realised what happens when simple “sindoor” (vermilion) turns into “gunpowder” and lauded India’s valiant armed forces for forcing Pakistan to go down on its knees.

Addressing a rally in Bikaner in Rajasthan on the India-Pakistan border, his first public address since the “Operation Sindoor” launched in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, Mr Modi said India’s response was the “new form of justice” and emphasised that there would be no trade or talks with Pakistan now.

Significantly, the PM said the recent developments have made three things clear: that there would be a befitting reply for each terror attack; that India would not be scared by threats of an atom bomb; and that India would view Pakistan’s “state and non-state actors” as one.

Slamming Pakistan, he said “we destroyed nine biggest terror hideouts in 22 minutes.” “The world and the enemies of the country have seen what happens when ‘sindoor’ turns into ‘barood’ [gunpowder]. Those out to wipe out ‘sindoor’ of our sisters, were reduced to dust.”

“Those bullets were fired in Pahalgam, but they pierced the chests of 140 crore people of the country. After that, every citizen of the country united and took a pledge that we will destroy the terrorists and give them a punishment beyond imagination.”

“Today, with your blessings and with the valour of the country’s armed forces, we have lived up to that promise. Our government gave a free hand to all three forces. And the three armies together created such a chakravyuh (web) that Pakistan was forced to kneel,” the PM said. “In response to the terror attack of April 22, India took only 22 minutes to destroy Pakistan’s nine terror hideouts,” he pointed out.

“Not blood but sindoor runs in my veins,” the Prime Minister said amid applause from the audience. In a strong message to Pakistan, Mr Modi said that if India faces a terrorist attack, a strong retaliation will follow. “The time and methods will be decided by our armed forces,” he said.

Mr Modi said India would not be intimidated by nuclear threats and would not see the perpetrators of terrorism and the state patronising terrorism separately. Lauding the armed forces for carrying out Operation Sindoor, he said “Our government gave free hand to all three armed forces. Together they created such a trap that Pakistan was forced to go down on its knees”.

Noting that Pakistan had tried to target the Nal air base in Bikaner but could not cause any damage to it, he said in contrast “No one knows when Pakistan’s Rahimyar Khan air base will open again. It is in ICU. The attack has destroyed it.” “Pakistan can never win a direct fight against India. Whenever there is a direct flight, Pakistan has to face defeat again and again. That is why Pakistan has made terrorism a weapon to fight against India,” he said.

The Prime Minister also asserted that there would be no talks with Pakistan. “There will be neither trade nor talks with Pakistan; if talks, then only about Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir,” he said.

“Pakistan used to spread terror, kill innocent people, create an atmosphere of fear in India. But Pakistan forgot one thing. Ab, Ma Bharti ka sevak Modi yahan seena taan kar khada hai. Modi ka dimag thanda hai, thanda rehta hai, lekin Modi ka lahu garam hota hai. Aur ab toh Modi ki nason mein lahu nahi, garam sindoor beh raha hai (Now, Mother India’s servant Modi is standing here with his head held high. Modi’s mind is cool, it stays cool, but Modi’s blood runs hot. And now, not blood, but hot vermilion is flowing in Modi’s veins),” he said.

He said this is not a game of vengeance, but “a new form of justice”. “This is Operation Sindoor. This is not just aakrosh (outrage), ye samagra Bharat ka raudra roop hai, ye Bharat ka naya swaroop hai (This is the fierce form of the entire India, this is the new face of India).”

Referring to the 2019 Balakot strikes by India, he said, “Pehle ghar mein ghus kar kiya tha vaar, ab seedha seene par kiya prahaar hai. Aatank ka phan kuchalne ki yahi reeti hai yahi neeti hai, yehi Bharat hai, naya Bharat hai (First, we attacked them inside their homes, and now, we have directly attacked them on the chest. This is the way to crush terrorism; this is the policy. This is Bharat, this is the new Bharat).”

“Those who used to bleed Hindustan have paid the price for every drop. Those who used to think that Bharat will stay quiet are now hiding inside their homes. Those who used to have ghamand (pride) on their weapons, today they are buried under a pile of rubble,” Modi said.

He said that India has made it clear that Pakistan would have to pay a heavy price for every terror attack. And this cost would be paid by the Pakistani army and its economy.” He said “Pakistan will not get water that is India’s right. Playing with the blood of Indians will prove costly to Pakistan. This is Bharat’s resolve, and no power in the world can sway us away from this resolve,” he said, adding that both security and prosperity are necessary for a viksit (developed) Bharat.