TIA NEWS / NEW DELHI
INDIA’S Defence Minister Arun Jaitley has said, the Indian armed forces are strong enough to meet any challenge to the country’s security.
Initiating a debate to mark 75th anniversary of Quit India Movement Mr Jaitley said in the Rajya Sabha today that India had faced many challenges over last decades but the country became stronger with each challenge.
He said, India had learnt a lesson from the 1962 war with China that the armed forces will have to be made fully capable on our own because even today the nation faces challenges from neighbouring countries. The Defence Minister said, compared to 1962, the armed forces were made stronger in 1965 and 1971 wars.
Mr Jaitley said, some people are targeting our country’s sovereignty and integrity but India’s brave soldiers have capability to keep the country secure whether it is eastern border or the western border.
He also said in the Rajya Sabha that the people of the country have a predominant wish of retrieving the parts of Jammu and Kashmir occupied by Pakistan since 1948. Mr Jaitley stressed that the House and the whole nation need to commit in one voice to fight the menace of terrorism. He also emphasised on probity in public life and reduction of use of money in politics.
Emphasizing that different religions and castes are an integral part of the country, Mr Jaitley said, it is important to maintain harmony in the country.
The Minister said, there should be no place in the country for violence in the name of politics, religion and terrorism. He said, the country has made visible progress in the last 70 years.
Mr Jaitley said, India has adopted multi-party democracy, electoral system and Parliamentary system. He said, there is a lakshman rekha in the functioning of Parliament and judiciary and the same should be maintained. He wished that everybody should contribute to make the country economically stronger.
Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad gave a detailed account of history of the Quit India movement and the contribution of the Congress Working Committee and the Muslim League. He said, there were no communal riots in the country during the Quit India Movement, led by Mahatma Gandhi. He also paid tributes to all the martyrs.
The House paid tributes to all those martyrs, who gave their lives and also to those who suffered untold miseries for the cause of country’s freedom. Making a reference in the House to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Quit India Movement launched on this day in 1942, Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari called for re-affirming the commitment to uphold the country’s sovereignty, integrity and unity. Members observed silence as a mark of respect to the memory of the martyrs.
Later, the Rajya Sabha unanimously adopted a resolution solemnly taking a pledge to uphold and safeguard the values and ideals of the freedom movement and re-dedicate to build an India that is strong, self-reliant, inclusive, secular and democratic.
Moving the Resolution at the end of the speeches by members of different political parties, Mr Ansari said, the House acknowledges that this day is also an occasion to recall with gratitude the sacrifices of millions of people and salute the memory of thousands of Indian, who gave their lives for the country’s freedom.
It also observed that the day is important to remember the heroic struggle of the Indian people, students, peasants, women, workers and government officials who defied the brutal repression of the British Raj to launch mass Satyagraha that shook the very foundation of the British Rule.