GAYA: Accusing Centre of harassing him, RJD chief and former CM Lalu Prasad on Saturday dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to put him in jail as "jail life does not scare him any longer". "Besides healthy food, one can get comfort and security in jail," Lalu said in his inimitable style at the centenary celebrations of Gaya orphanage.
Referring to the appearance of his wife Rabri Devi before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Patna in connection with a land-for-hotel scam, Lalu said going by the number of disproportionate assets cases lodged against him and ED summons, he (Lalu) must have been the richest man in the country. Praising his wife's "guts", he said Rabri refused to go to Delhi and ultimately the ED people had to yield.
The RJD chief said he was ready to face gallows and meet Saddam Hussain's fate, but would never compromise on secularism and national harmony. "Even our children are being harassed by government agencies," Lalu alleged.
He demanded an inquiry into the circumstances leading to the death of CBI judge Brijgopal Harkishan Loya. Accusing PM Modi of believing in divisive politics, the RJD chief said the otherwise innocuous and gentle cow symbolising love and civility was being turned into an object of fear.
Sarcastically pitying CM Nitish Kumar, Lalu said the latter has become BJP's parrot.
Former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi, who was slated to share dais with Lalu at the orphanage centenary function, left the stage before Lalu's arrival. "Nothing much should be read into my leaving the dais early," Manjhi said. Claiming that he enjoyed very cordial personal relations with Lalu, Manjhi said he had commitments to honour at Konch and as such he was leaving early.
Earlier, Manjhi batted for common school system, as prescribed by Bhim Rao Ambedkar and supported by Ram Manohar Lohia. "Common school system held panacea to all our social evils, more so the different forms of discrimination. Had the common school proposal of Ambedkar been implemented, there would not have been any need either for orphanages or job reservation," he said.
Both Lalu and Manjhi praised orthopaedic surgeon Farasat Hussain and former IG M A Kazmi for taking care of orphans of the area.
Referring to the appearance of his wife Rabri Devi before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Patna in connection with a land-for-hotel scam, Lalu said going by the number of disproportionate assets cases lodged against him and ED summons, he (Lalu) must have been the richest man in the country. Praising his wife's "guts", he said Rabri refused to go to Delhi and ultimately the ED people had to yield.
The RJD chief said he was ready to face gallows and meet Saddam Hussain's fate, but would never compromise on secularism and national harmony. "Even our children are being harassed by government agencies," Lalu alleged.
He demanded an inquiry into the circumstances leading to the death of CBI judge Brijgopal Harkishan Loya. Accusing PM Modi of believing in divisive politics, the RJD chief said the otherwise innocuous and gentle cow symbolising love and civility was being turned into an object of fear.
Sarcastically pitying CM Nitish Kumar, Lalu said the latter has become BJP's parrot.
Former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi, who was slated to share dais with Lalu at the orphanage centenary function, left the stage before Lalu's arrival. "Nothing much should be read into my leaving the dais early," Manjhi said. Claiming that he enjoyed very cordial personal relations with Lalu, Manjhi said he had commitments to honour at Konch and as such he was leaving early.
Earlier, Manjhi batted for common school system, as prescribed by Bhim Rao Ambedkar and supported by Ram Manohar Lohia. "Common school system held panacea to all our social evils, more so the different forms of discrimination. Had the common school proposal of Ambedkar been implemented, there would not have been any need either for orphanages or job reservation," he said.
Both Lalu and Manjhi praised orthopaedic surgeon Farasat Hussain and former IG M A Kazmi for taking care of orphans of the area.
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