Salient points of press conference of BJP National Spokesperson Shri Shehzad Poonawalla

Salient Points of Press Conference of BJP National Spokesperson Shri Shehzad Poonawalla

It is a historic achievement of the Modi government that Tahawwur Rana, who is one of the chief conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and responsible for the cold-blooded murder of over 160 innocent people is being brought to India to face justice

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During the UPA regime, countries that actively supported terrorism were granted the status of ‘Most Favoured Nation’. Today, if incidents like Uri or Pulwama occur, they are not met with MFN, but with MTJ: ‘Muh Tod Jawab’

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This is the ‘New India’ whose voice echoes on every anniversary of 26/11: “India will never forgive, India will never forget.” Even if the terrorists hide in the depths of the earth, India now has the strength to pull them out and bring them to justice

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Today, instead of welcoming this major victory of national security and policy, some leaders continue to indulge in vote bank politics. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar once went as far as to claim that martyr Hemant Karkare was not killed by Kasab and Pakistani terrorists but by Indian policemen

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Even during the Congress era, India’s armed forces had the capabilities to carry out surgical strikes or air strikes like Balakot. What was lacking was the political will of the ruling leadership, which repeatedly prevented the military from acting

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This has been clearly stated by former officer Fali Major and also documented in Barack Obama’s memoir as well as in a senior Congress leader’s book, both of which confirm that the Gandhi family, which ran the government through the NAC, overruled any concrete plans of retaliation
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Today, India no longer begs for justice on international platforms. Instead, countries that shelter terrorists now fear the consequences of India’s resolve

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There are political parties that, during their tenure in Uttar Pradesh, released terrorists from jail purely based on their religious identity. The Allahabad High Court itself rebuked such actions, remarking: “Today you are releasing terrorists, tomorrow, will you award them the Padma Shri?”
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Even today, whenever there is a decisive crackdown on terrorism, some leaders oppose it in the name of vote bank politics. Be it strengthening the UAPA law, banning PFI, or including a clear definition of terrorism in the new BNS law, they have opposed every step
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Bharatiya Janata Party National Spokesperson Shri Shehzad Poonawalla addressed a press conference at the party’s headquarters in New Delhi on Thursday. During the conference, Shri Poonawalla called the extradition of the 26/11 terrorist Tahawwur Rana a significant strategic and historic accomplishment of the Modi government. Shri Poonawalla emphasized that during the Congress-UPA regime, actions against terrorists were avoided for the sake of vote-bank appeasement, and as a result, innocent people who endured the consequences of terrorism paid the price for this inaction.

Shri Shehzad Poonawalla stated that the entire Jain community across India is celebrating the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Mahavir, known as Mahavir Jayanti. Bhagwan Mahavir always emphasized the values of non-violence, truth, peace, and justice, showing the way to follow these principles. Today, in line with these ideals, security agencies, anti-terrorism forces, prosecution, and intelligence agencies, all operating under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji, have achieved significant success. The key conspirator of the Mumbai attacks, Tahawwur Rana, who was responsible for the deaths of over 160 innocent people in the 26/11 terror attack, is being brought back to India from overseas to face justice. This marks a historic achievement. The extradition of Tahawwur Rana is not merely a routine legal process, it symbolizes the determination of ‘New India,’ a vision clearly articulated by Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji in 2019: that anyone who threatens India's unity, integrity, security, or attacks its innocent citizens will be hunted down and brought to justice, no matter where they may hide. This is the spirit of ‘New India,’ which will no longer stand by silently in the face of terrorism but will strike back, even into the enemy's lair. It represents a ‘New India’ with zero tolerance towards Pakistan-sponsored Islamic terrorism, and one that ensures national policy is not driven by vote-bank politics. This is a pledge that the nation’s interests will always come first. This is the New India, whose voice resounds every year on the anniversary of 26/11, proclaiming, "India will never forgive, India will never forget." India will not forget or forgive the terrorists. No matter how far they may go, India possesses the strength to track them down and bring them to justice.

Shri Poonawalla said that this is not just a significant step towards justice for the 138 Indian victims but also for the citizens of 17 to 18 other countries, including the US, Israel, France, Germany, Italy, and Malaysia, who lost their lives in the 26/11 attack. Today, from Shri Tukaram Omble to Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, from Havildar Shri Gajendra Singh to the brave Mumbai Police officer, Vijay Salaskar, this is India’s heartfelt tribute to every martyred security personnel and every NSG commando. It is also a clear message that India will never forget the sacrifice and martyrdom of its security forces.

BJP National Spokesperson stated that today, as Tahawwur Rana is being brought to India and the entire world is witnessing this moment, it sends a strong message to every terrorist, conspirator, and mastermind: that no matter where you hide, in which corner or secret place of the world, under the leadership of the Modi government, India will track you down and bring you out of your hiding to face justice. Over the past 10 years, there has been a major shift in our approach towards terror and terrorism. Today’s extradition is a symbol of that changed mindset. You may recall that between 2004 and 2014, there was hardly a month when a major Indian city did not witness a terrorist attack. In 2005, it was Delhi; in 2006, Varanasi, in 2007, Lucknow; and in 2008, there were attacks in Jaipur, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Agartala, and Rampur. In 2010, Assam and Pune were targeted; in 2011, it was Delhi again, and in 2013, major attacks occurred in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Bodh Gaya, and several other places.

Shri Poonawalla stated that it used to feel as if such major attacks had become a routine occurrence, and whenever a terrorist attack happened, Indian governments would merely present their arguments and reports on international platforms as silent spectators. However, no concrete action was ever taken against those terrorist forces or the countries supporting them. Leaders of that time were often seen pleading on global forums. As a result, India could not achieve any substantial success against terrorism. But today, when earlier, more than 700 civilians used to be killed in terrorist attacks every year, such major attacks have almost stopped. In the past, due to vote-bank politics, a soft approach was adopted towards terrorism, driven by the fear that strict action might affect electoral outcomes.

Shri Shehzad Poonawalla stated that during that era, countries promoting terrorism were granted ‘Most Favoured Nation’ status, but today, the situation has completely changed. Now, if attacks like Uri or Pulwama occur, they are not given the status of ‘Most Favoured Nation’ but rather receive a ‘Muhh Tod Jawab’, or MTJ. Today, India responds with airstrikes and surgical strikes, operating under a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards terrorism. Between 2004 and 2014, instead of exposing Pakistan, there were multiple attempts to blame India itself for some of the terrorist attacks. Whether it was the Samjhauta Express blast or the Mumbai attack, it was even alleged that these were conspiracies by the RSS. However, due to the martyrdom of Shri Tukaram Omble, Ajmal Kasab was captured alive, and it was proven that Pakistan and its intelligence agency ISI were behind these attacks. But at that time, the primary objective of senior Congress leaders seemed to be to blame India itself.

Shri Poonawalla pointed out that Pakistan's Islamic terrorism was whitewashed and efforts were made to exonerate it. At that time, senior leaders of the Congress Party fabricated fake narratives like ‘Hindu terror,’ ‘Sangh terror,’ and ‘RSS terror,’ and even today, their leaders remain active in such narratives, especially as Tahawwur Rana’s extradition is taking place. While no action was taken for ten years, today, when this is a significant victory for national security and policy, instead of celebrating it, vote-bank politics are being played. A statement from Vijay Wadettiwar, who once served as the Leader of the Opposition in Maharashtra, surfaced. It was a shameful statement where he claimed that martyr Hemant Karkare was not killed by Kasab and Pakistani terrorists but by police officers. This statement was made in court, which Congress neither rejected nor distanced itself from.

Shri Shehzad Poonawalla stated that when the 26/11 attacks took place, it is well remembered, and even today, several TV channels are airing an interview in which the then Air Force Chief, Shri Fali Major, revealed how he had advised the government and leadership at the time to give a strong and immediate response to the terrorist attack. This indicates that, just like the surgical strikes or Balakot air strikes, India’s army, air force, and security forces could have taken similar actions back then. However, due to a lack of political will, Fali Major was stopped and told that attacking these terrorist camps would politically benefit someone else. Out of fear that it could impact the vote bank or provide political gains to the opposition, decisive action was withheld from the army and security forces after 26/11. Fali Major himself has confirmed this, and it is also mentioned in the books of former U.S. President Barack Obama and a senior Congress MP, where it is stated that the Gandhi family, which was in power through the National Advisory Council, overruled any concrete action.

Shri Poonawalla remarked that today, the Government of India is bringing back nearly 17-18 international fugitives from countries like the UAE, Thailand, the United States, and others, which marks a significant diplomatic victory and highlights India's growing global influence. It also showcases the excellent coordination between India’s agencies. However, during the UPA government from 2004 to 2014, no such efforts were made. Instead of strengthening India's position on international platforms, a declaration was signed at Sharm El-Sheikh that led to India being falsely accused of spreading terrorism in other nations. While today, under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, the government exposes countries that sponsor terrorism on global platforms, the UPA government used to side with those very countries rather than support India's stance. They signed a declaration that portrayed India’s involvement in terrorism and interference. This was a major compromise on India’s security, national, and foreign policies. Over the last decade, not only have international fugitives been brought back, but major terrorist attacks have been prevented, and if anyone dares to attack India, they receive a decisive response. Today, India no longer goes to international forums pleading for justice, instead, countries promoting terrorism fear India’s might. India now possesses the full capability to act.

BJP National Spokesperson Shri Shehzad Poonawalla stated that today, those who once dared to raise their eyes against India are now going to international forums, pleading, ‘We apologize,’ and ‘Save us from India.’ This change has occurred in the last ten years, as the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. In cases of domestic terrorism, whether it is the Ahmedabad blasts or various explosions in different cities of the country, India's agencies and prosecution bodies have successfully brought the accused to justice. This has been possible because these agencies have been empowered legally within the country and have been given the freedom to work independently, without any consideration of vote-bank politics, ensuring that those involved in terrorism or the organizations responsible for it are brought to justice. However, some political parties, while in power in Uttar Pradesh, tried to release certain terrorists simply because they belonged to a particular religion. The terrorists involved in the Rampur blast, Varanasi blast and Sankat Mochan explosion were later convicted, but one party tried to release them due to their religion. The Allahabad High Court even commented on this, saying, “Today you have released these terrorists, will you award them Padma Shri tomorrow?” Such vote-bank politics has been played with national security in this country. A strong blow is also being struck against another form of terrorism, that is Naxalism. Naxalism, once considered the biggest threat to the country, spread across 126 districts in 2013. Today, its influence is limited to only 6 districts, and by 2026, the country will be free from Naxalism. Under the BJP government, another precise and effective blow has been dealt to terrorism.

Shri Poonawalla stated that after the abrogation of Article 370, there has been a significant decline in terrorism and incidents of stone-pelting in Jammu and Kashmir. There was a time when frequent incidents of stone-pelting on security forces were reported. Today, there has been a reduction of over 99% in such incidents, which have almost entirely stopped. Earlier, there used to be around 400 terrorism-related incidents every year, but now there has been a reduction of over 50%. Whether it is civilian deaths or those of security personnel, both have seen a substantial decline. After the abrogation of Article 370, the letter ‘P’ in Jammu and Kashmir, which once stood for ‘Pakistan sympathies and stone-pelting’, has now been replaced by ‘D’, symbolizing ‘Development and Democracy’. From the Red Fort to Lal Chowk, the Indian Tricolour now flies high. During the Congress rule, the then Home Minister had said he was afraid to go to Lal Chowk. But today, the top leader of the same party visits it with his sister, where now one sees snowballs instead of bombshells. During Navratri, bells are ringing at the Maa Sharda temple, and for the first time, Shia Tazia processions are being taken out on the streets of Srinagar. This is the transformation that has taken place since 2019. After the removal of Article 370, which had fueled terrorism, there has also been a strong crackdown on terrorism and insurgency in the North-East. Insurgency there has declined by 74%, civilian deaths have dropped by around 19%, and fatalities among security forces have reduced by 60%. Overall, the extradition of Tahawwur Rana to India reflects India’s 360-degree zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. It symbolizes our firm resolve that when it comes to combating terrorism, India prioritizes neither political gain nor vote banks, only national interest and national security.

Shri Poonawalla stated that some questions must also be asked of those who still practice vote bank politics over matters of national policy. Now that India has achieved a major success in connection with the 26/11 terrorist attack, will those people apologise who had claimed that 26/11 was a conspiracy by the RSS or Hindus? Will those who write and circulate such books now accept their mistake? Will those who said that Indian agencies, not Pakistan, were responsible for this terrorist attack now apologise? Will those who, between 2004 and 2014, only prepared reports on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism but failed to take any strong action showing no respect for the martyrdom of our citizens and brave security personnel. Will the ruling party of that time now apologise for it?

Shri Poonawalla stated that even today, when strict action is taken against terrorism, some people oppose it due to vote bank politics. Whether it is about strengthening the UAPA law, banning PFI, or including the definition of terrorism in the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, they oppose it every time. When the PMLA and NIA Acts are strengthened, there is opposition again. When terrorists like Afzal Guru and Yakub Memon are given the death penalty by the Supreme Court, some people express sympathy for such terrorists, either on university campuses or through mercy petitions. Will these people now apologise to all those victims who have been suffering the pain of terrorism for years? And finally, will the Congress party now clarify whether it will stop doing vote bank politics on the issue of terrorism? Will it abandon the soft stance it has taken on Naxalism, Article 370, and Pakistan-sponsored terrorism? Will the Congress party and its top leadership now take steps to put an end to this approach? Today, they must answer this.

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