Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that terrorism was an enemy of humanity and the world must come together to fight terror.
"Terrorism is humanity's enemy. Terrorism does not have any boundaries. It is bound to destroy all... A need has arisen to root out those who spread terrorism. Those who help terrorists and provide shelter to them can no longer be spared," he said in an obvious reference to Pakistan without taking its name.
"The entire world is being destroyed... If you think that we are insulated against terrorism, then we are wrong. It is a virus affecting our societies. All forces across the world have to talk in one voice and end it," PM Modi pointed out.
"The first person to fight against terrorism was Jataayu, who fought for a woman's honor. So even if all of us can't be Lord Ram, we can all try and be Jatayu, and keep terrorism at bay," PM Modi said while addressing the crowd at Aishbagh Ramleela Ground.
"If 1.25 crore people are alert about terrorism, then terror can be fought," PM Modi mainatined.
"After 26/11 the world realised that what terrorism was. Terrorism has no boundaries. The world has to come together to fight terror. Those who support terror cannot be spared," he said.
Earlier extending warm welcome to PM Modi, Rajnath Singh said, "Grateful for PM Modi that he chose to spend Dussehra in Lucknow. Lucknow represents the composite culture of our country. Lucknow was Vajpayee ji's karambhomi and my constituency. I welcome him," he said.
"PM dealt with corruption and raised the image of India all over the world," he added.
PM Modi became the first Prime Minister to attend a Ramlila event outside Delhi and his participation at the Aishbagh celebrations assumes significance in the context of assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh early next year.
The theme of this year's Dussehra here was 'destruction of terrorism'. In the run up to the event today, there have been many references to the surgical strikes by characters enacting Ramlila.
In significant gestures, PM Modi was presented a Sudarshan Chakra, bow and arrow and a mace at the event, symbolising valour.
(With PTI inputs)
