Varanasi, Aug 2 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed happiness that BrahMos missiles will now be manufactured in Lucknow, and in a warning to Pakistan said that any future misadventure would be met with missiles made in UP.
Addressing a massive public meeting in Banauli village, Sevapuri (Varanasi) today, the PM expressed pride in the UP Defence Corridor, saying, “As an MP from UP, I am happy that BrahMos missiles will now be manufactured in Lucknow.”
He said weapons made in UP will bolster the Indian Army’s strength and asked the public if they felt proud of India’s self-reliant military power. Warning Pakistan, he declared that any future misadventure would be met with missiles made in UP.
He also lauded the Yogi Adityanath government’s development work, and highlighted Kashi’s cultural and historical significance.
The Prime Minister highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s rapid industrial and social development, crediting the BJP government’s policies for attracting major national and international investments.
He launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party, accusing it of vote bank and appeasement politics.
Contrasting it with the previous SP rule, he said criminals then operated fearlessly, deterring investors. In today’s UP, under BJP rule, criminals fear the law and investors see a promising future.
PM Modi highlighted key welfare achievements, stating that 2.5 crore UP farmers have received over Rs 90,000 crore under PM-Kisan, with Rs 900 crore reaching Kashi alone. He also spoke of the Lakhpati Didi initiative, aimed at empowering three crore women nationwide — 1.5 crore of whom have already achieved the milestone.
Taking a dig at SP, he said, “SP people will flee with their bicycles (party symbol) after hearing these figures.”
Attacking the Samajwadi Party, the Prime Minister said that SP leaders had questioned in Parliament why the Pahalgam terrorists were killed now, sarcastically asking, “Should I call them to ask whether to kill terrorists or not? Should we wait for them to run away?”
He alleged that during SP’s rule, terrorists were given clean chits and cases against bomb blast accused were withdrawn. “They have a problem with terrorists being killed,” he said.
Declaring from the land of Kashi, the PM said, “This is New India — it worships Bholenath and becomes Kaal Bhairav before its enemies.”
Speaking on Sewapuri’s development, PM Modi said it was a privilege to visit the doorstep of Maa Kalka Devi, adding that the temple has been grandly renovated. He highlighted key projects like the Chandpur-Bhadohi Road, which will boost connectivity and benefit both Banaras silk weavers and Bhadohi artisans.
The Prime Minister praised the UP government, saying he is satisfied that the “Maha Yagya” of development continues in Kashi.
Recalling Sewapuri’s historic significance, he noted its legacy of revolutionaries and its role in the freedom struggle. He said Sewapuri was where Mahatma Gandhi’s vision came alive — with spinning wheels once found in every household.
The Prime Minister highlighted the spiritual vibrancy of the Sawan month (the fifth month in the Hindu lunar calendar that holds immense spiritual significance), noting the scenes of Shiva devotees carrying Gangajal in Kashi. He especially mentioned the tradition of Yadav brothers setting out from Gauri Kedareshwar to offer Jalabhishek to Baba on the first Monday of Sawan, calling their procession — echoing with damru beats and street chants — a picturesque and divine experience.
Sharing a personal sentiment, the Prime Minister said he had wished to visit Baba Vishwanath and Markandeya Mahadev during the holy month of Sawan. However, to avoid causing any inconvenience to fellow devotees, he chose to offer his prayers from the stage in Sevapuri. Paying homage in Bhojpuri, he said, “We are paying our obeisance to Baba Kashi Vishwanath from this stage of Sevapuri. Namah Parvati Pataye, Har Har Mahadev.”
