Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the previous Congress governments of playing with national interest, saying that there was a concept of "family first" instead of "nation first."
Modi also slammed the Gandhi family, stating that the probe into all the major defence scams leading to one family says a lot.
Addressing a gathering of ex-servicemen during the inauguration of the National War Museum (NWM) at the National Stadium here, Modi said, "Those who called themselves the deciders of the country's fate had done injustice to the forces and also played with the national security."
Rashtriya Samar Smaarak, the #NationalWarMemorial has been dedicated to the nation.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 25, 2019
India is eternally grateful to all those who have served the nation with utmost bravery and vigour. It is due to them that our nation is safe, secure and can reach new heights of progress. pic.twitter.com/wJS8PeTvRQ
"They had made the army and the national security means of earning for themselves. They wanted to forget the martyrs," Modi said.
Targeting the Gandhi family, the Prime Minister said, "From Bofors to helicopters (AgustaWestland VVIP chopper), all the probe leads to the doors of one family. And it says a lot."
In a short while from now, Rashtriya Samar Smaarak, the #NationalWarMemorial will be dedicated to the nation.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 25, 2019
Here are some glimpses of the Memorial, located near India Gate in Central Delhi. pic.twitter.com/ktA9hhudOL
Hitting out at Congress President Rahul Gandhi for criticising the 36 Rafale fighter jets deal with France, he said "now these people are using all their tactics so that the modern jet does not come to India."
"But in the next few months, when the first Rafale soars into the sky, all their conspiracies will end," he said.
Attacking the Congress, Modi said, "Few people think their family interests come before the interest of the nation."
Sharing some more glimpses from the Rashtriya Samar Smaarak, located in the heart of Delhi, near India Gate.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 25, 2019
Do visit the Smaarak whenever you can. pic.twitter.com/D2mcdKPL7o
"Today the National War Memorial (NWM) is being inaugurated. The National Police Memorial also had similar story. Two-and-a-half decades ago, the memorial file was introduced. It moved a bit during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government, but after the government changed, the condition remained the same.
"Today people are asking why such injustice was done with the heroes and martyrs? What were the reasons that no one focused on the martyrs. India first or 'family first,'" Modi asked.
People have seen the difference between a Government guided by India First and a Government guided by ‘Family First.’
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 25, 2019
Those who focused on ‘Family First’ were bothered about naming everything under the sun after one family.
Our way is different, we care for 130 crore Indians! pic.twitter.com/repDOfrnlV
"Earlier, from schools to hospitals, highways to airports and awards, there was just the name of one family," he said.
Modi also said his government was bringing in modern weaponry to strengthen the armed forces in the country. "Major defence decisions in the national interest, which were earlier ignored or halted, are now being taken without any delay.
The government has given its nod to purchase 72,000 assault rifles and 25,000 crore ammunition, Modi said.
Those who ruled the nation for decades were not serious about the welfare of our armed forces. There are several examples to illustrate this point.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 25, 2019
From Bofors to Helicopter Scam, why is it that the same people’s names come up? pic.twitter.com/7F0XOh3BSr
Addressing ex-servicemen before the dedication of #NationalWarMemorial to the nation. https://t.co/CX4vWogbTl
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 25, 2019
War memorial may replace Amar Jawan Jyoti as venue for paying tribute to fallen soldiers
The National War Memorial is likely to replace India Gate and the Amar Jawan Jyoti as the venue for paying respect to the fallen soldiers on national events like Republic Day and Vijay Diwas. The iconic India Gate may see mostly regimental functions of the armed forces.
Majestic #NationalWarMemorial...
— Defence Spokesperson (@SpokespersonMoD) February 25, 2019
For a visual tour to the grand structure, do watch this video.@PIB_India @DDNewsLive pic.twitter.com/vhswGdoEH7
Much thought has gone into the issue as India Gate, built by the British as a memorial for the 70,000 soldiers of the British Indian army who died in the First World War, has occupied the prime place in honouring the soldier since Independence. An addition to the monument in the form of Amar Jawan Jyoti -- a marble pedastal with a cenotaph with a self-loading rifle holding a helmet of an unkown soldier on its barrel -- was made after 1971 in the memory of the soldiers who died in the India-Pakistan war leading to the creation of Bangladesh.
The flame at Amar Jawan Jyoti has been burning since 1971.
The National War Memorial commemorates the supreme sacrifice of 25,942 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives post-Independence. It also honours 21 recipients of nation's highest gallantry award, the Param Vir Chakra.
The National War Memorial has four concentric circles named Amar Chakra (circle of immortality), Veer Chakra (circle of bravery), Tyag Chakra (circle of sacrifice) and Rakshak Chakra (circle of protection).
And there it stands in resplendent glory symbolizing the bravery and sacrifices of the gallant soldiers of this Country...
— Defence Spokesperson (@SpokespersonMoD) February 25, 2019
Jai Hind!#NationalWarMemorial pic.twitter.com/jAiovUKn6B
While inaugurating the Memorial, Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Congress for ignoring armed forces. Attacking the principal opposition party, Modi pointed out various cases of corruption in arms cases during the Congress regime as he made a reference to the Gandhi family saying "for some people it is family first and not India first".
The construction of National War Memorial and Museum was cleared by the Modi government in 2019. The museum, to be located at the Princess Park adjoining India Gate will take some more years as the construction is yet to commence.
The lighting plan of #NationalWarMemorial is well sewn into the fabric of the overall design thereby highlighting details, & colours of the Chakras and honour walls. This seamless integration provides an immersive and evocative visual experience pic.twitter.com/mMhMMkOZ5c
— राष्ट्रीय समर स्मारक / NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL (@salute2soldier) February 25, 2019