Wear abuse of ‘chor’ like a ‘gehna’: Modi

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 20

Attempting to turn the tables on Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for his “chowkidar chor hai” jibe on a day the BJP claimed victory with “chowkidar” netting fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi in the UK”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told security guards to wear the abuse (of thief) like a “gehna”.

“I realise you all are pained, hurt upon repeatedly being called a ‘chor’. I have learnt to wear all abuses like a ‘gehna’. You should also do the same,” he said, while interacting with 25 lakh security guards across the country on the eve of Holi via audio bridge under his party’s 2019 poll campaign “main bhi chowkidar”.

While Rahul is persisting with his “chor” jibe, the campaign too has been at the receiving end of the Opposition.

However, turning the attack against him into an insult to all security men, including jawans of armed forces, Modi said he was aware that security guards were feeling belittled and insulted on being called a thief. “But you should learn from my past experiences from being at the receiving end of such abuses from ‘naamdaars’ (read Rahul) and continue performing your duty as ‘kaamdaars’.”

Giving Rahul’s “chor” jibe a wider connotation, he said a doctor who saved a patient was also a “chowkidar” and a “jawan” who saved the country from the enemy was also a “chowkidar”. “Chowkidars are now being discussed not just in India but also abroad. Everywhere people are saying I am also a ‘chowkidar’. I salute all watchmen who perform their duties despite all adversities and hardships and without thinking about themselves or their families,” he said.