The PM also did not mince words while condemning the lynching of a Muslim youth in Jharkhand, saying that the guilty should get the severest punishment.
Breaking his silence on the death of over 140 children from encephalitis in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described it as the country's biggest collective failure since Independence.
Replying to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address in Rajya Sabha, PM Modi said, "The death of children was a matter of shame, the biggest failure of seven decades that outbreak of such a disease continues to kill even after so many years of Independence."
"We need to take it seriously. People should be made aware of vaccination, safety and other health benefits. Today it is one state, it can happen in another state tomorrow. The need of the hour is to strengthen Ayushman Bharat. We want our poor to get top quality and affordable treatment," he said.
The PM also did not mince words while condemning the lynching of a Muslim youth in Jharkhand, saying that the guilty should get the severest punishment. At the same time, he stressed that all kinds of violence, be it in Jharkhand, Bengal or Kerala, should be punished under the law, which should take its course.
But, he said, it was not fair to malign an entire state: "The lynching in Jharkhand has pained me. It has saddened others too. But, some people in the Rajya Sabha are calling Jharkhand a hub of lynching. Is this fair? Why are they insulting a state? None of us have the right to insult Jharkhand."
"It's our responsibility to protect each citizen. If we stop seeing through the political lens, we will be able to see a bright future," the PM said.
Continuing his attack on the Congress, PM Modi said the Grand Old Party, because of its arrogance, is unable to accept defeat and continues to question the mandate of the people by doubting EVMs.
PM Modi said he was saddened when some leaders said that "BJP and allies won the elections but the nation lost, democracy lost".
"I want to clearly say that such statements are unfortunate. Why question the wisdom of voters? Do our friends in the Congress party feel if they do not win, India does not win? Are India and the Congress the same thing?" PM Modi asked.
Asking Congress leaders to introspect, the PM said, "Did India lose in Wayanad? Did India lose in Rae Bareli? Did India lose in Trivandrum. What about Amethi? What kind of argument is this? If Congress loses then does that mean India lost? There is a limit to arrogance. Congress could not win a single seat in 17 states."
The PM also accused Congress leaders of insulting the farmers by saying that they were sold out to Rs 2,000 cash dole and the elections were won with the help of media.
"This is an insult to farmers. A farmer is not available for sale. Farmers cannot be insulted. The use of language that they were sold for Rs 2,000 is an insult to 15 crore farmers," he said.
Condemns J’khand lynching
- The Prime Minister told Rajya Sabha that he was ‘pained’ to hear about the Jharkhand lynching
- Calls for ‘strictest possible punishment for accused’
- Tabrez Ansari, 24, was beaten to death after being caught on suspicion of being a thief by a mob in Jharkhand’s Seraikela-Kharsawan on June 18
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Narendra Modi")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}