In an address to the public on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that his tenure since 2014 has been marked by a remarkable absence of bomb blasts, promising to continue ensuring the nation's security and development if re-elected.
Speaking to a charged crowd in Ballari, Modi emphasized his commitment to safeguarding citizens against terrorism and violence.
"Before 2014, many bomb blasts had happened but after 2014 they stopped. This is Modi. I will ensure the security of the nation, of your house, by keeping in check the guns and bombs," declared Modi.
However, contrary to his claims of zero terrorism, bomb blasts, and assured safety, key incidents such as the Pulwama attack, which resulted in the deaths of several soldiers, as well as blasts in Punjab, and the prevalence of armed criminals in Uttar Pradesh and other northern Indian states where businessmen, civilians, and gang members are being shot dead in broad daylight, continue unchecked.
He credited the support of the people for enabling him to combat terrorism effectively, stating, "With the help of your (people's) one vote, I am able to stop bomb blasts, make the terrorists run away."
In addition to security, Modi addressed concerns regarding women's safety, particularly in Karnataka, alleging that under the Congress government, women were not adequately protected. He referenced the death of Neha Hiremath, a young MCA student who was stabbed to death in broad daylight, attributing her demise to the Congress' governance.
"Our daughters are not safe under the Congress government in Karnataka," Modi asserted, promising greater safety measures under a BJP-led administration.
Transitioning to the broader political landscape, Modi accused the Congress party of seeking to divide the nation and urged voters not to waste their ballots on them. He warned against the alleged destabilizing agenda of the Congress and questioned their leadership capabilities.
"The Congress wants to divide the country. Does the Congress and INDIA bloc have any name for the post of PM? They have a formula... if they come to power, everyone will get a one-year term for the post of PM," Modi cautioned, urging voters to choose stability and progress over uncertainty.
Modi assured the crowd that his government would continue to prioritize the well-being of the nation's citizens. "Modi is also a guarantee for development. You (people) have seen it in the last 10 years," he affirmed.
The Fact
The claim by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that there were no major bomb blasts during his tenure since 2014 is contradicted by factual data. Despite his assertions, significant terrorist incidents have occurred across India during this period.
On December 28, 2014, a bomb exploded on Bengaluru’s Church Street, resulting in one death and two injuries, which challenges Modi's statement. Furthermore, a series of major terror attacks have rocked the nation, including the Pulwama attack in Jammu & Kashmir on February 14, 2019, where 40 paramilitary soldiers lost their lives.
Additional incidents include an IED blast in Sukma, Chhattisgarh, on March 13, 2018, resulting in the deaths of nine CRPF personnel, and a Maoist attack in Sukma on April 24, 2017, which claimed the lives of 25 soldiers. Furthermore, terrorist attacks on army bases in Uri and Nagrota, J&K, in 2016 resulted in casualties.
According to data from the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), between January 1, 2014, and April 11, 2019, there were 942 reported bombings in India, resulting in 451 deaths and 1,589 injuries. Additionally, there were numerous terror attacks reported across the country, including those in J&K, the northeast, and by Maoists.
Notably, the government reported a bomb blast on a Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train in 2017, with 11 injuries, leading to a chargesheet against individuals associated with ISIS. Moreover, statistics from the National Bomb Data Centre (NBDC) reveal a significant number of IED blasts in recent years, indicating ongoing security challenges.
In conclusion, while Modi claimed an absence of major bomb blasts under his tenure, factual evidence presents a different reality, highlighting the persistent threat of terrorism and violence across India during this period.