PM Narendra Modi Unveils Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Statue in Lucknow, Asks Anti-CAA Protesters to 'Introspect' Over Violence in Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow, December 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, December 25, unveiled a statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Lok Bhawan in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow. This day also marks the 95th birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the co-founder of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and UP CM Yogi Adityanath were also present at the event. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Birthday Special: Passionate Speeches By India's Former Prime Minister.

Vajpayee represented Lucknow parliamentary constituency in the Lok Sabha five times- 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004. PM Narendra Modi also laid the foundation stone of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University for which the state government has decided to transfer 50 acres of land. PM Narendra Modi Launches Atal Bhujal Yojana on 95th Birth Anniversary of Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Statue in Lucknow

Speaking at the event, PM Modi said, "Issues of Article 370, Ram Temple have been resolved peacefully. The way to give citizenship to refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan has been cleared. 130 crore Indians have found solution to such challenges with confidence."

On Anti-CAA Protest the Prime Minister said, " People who damaged public property and were involved in violence in the name of protest in UP, should introspect if what they did was right. Better roads, transport and sewer are our rights, but it's our duty to protect it. Quality education is our right but safety of educational institutions&respect for teachers are our duties. Secure atmosphere is our right,but it's also duty of citizens to respect work of police."

Earlier today, PM Modi shared a minute-long video message and said that the words of Vajpayee were powerful, but his silence had even more power. "He had an amazing power of knowing when he should turn mute and when he should say," Modi said.

PM Modi's Tweet:

Union Minister Amit Shah also remembered the former Prime Minister on his birth anniversary. "The life of Atalji was based on ideology and principles. There was no fascination of power in his life. Under his leadership, the country saw good governance happening," Shah tweeted in Hindi.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 25, 2019 05:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).