‘Army won’t forgive if we sleep when we should be awake’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday the Army will never “forgive” the country if it is found ‘sleeping” when it should be awake, in comments that come against the backdrop of the recent surgical strikes along the LoC.

“Our Army is happiest when we sleep in peace. But they will never forgive us if we sleep when we should be awake. Unfortunately, we have been found sleeping when we should have been awake. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” he said without elaborating.

Addressing ex-servicemen and their families at the inauguration of ‘Shaurya Smarak’ (Memorial to Valour) here, he devoted his speech to hailing the role of the armed forces and their spirit of sacrifice in adverse situation.

“Our army does not speak but displays its valour. When I would say this earlier, they (critics) would tear my hair out. They would say Modi is sleeping and doing nothing. Like our Army our Defence Minister also does not speak...” he said with a pause as the audience broke into applause with some raising patriotic slogans.

Modi further said in hundreds of years India never waged a war to capture a country.

“But if it comes to fighting for values and ideals, India is never found wanting,” he said.