I seek forgiveness from the poor for harsh decisions on Covid-19 lockdown, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked forgiveness from the poor people for taking tough decisions on Covid-19 lockdown in his 63rd edition of 'Maan Ki Baat'. Modi said that lockdown is the only option to keep families protected and it's the need of the hour.

New Delhi: Addressing the 63rd edition of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the battle against coronavirus is a tough one and it required harsh decisions to keep India safe.

"The battle against COVID-19 is a tough one and it did require such harsh decisions. It is important to keep the people of India safe. A disease must be dealt with at the very beginning as delay makes it incurable," said Prime Minister Modi while speaking in his first Mann Ki Baat after the 21-day lockdown was imposed in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak.

Asking forgiveness from all the countrymen, especially poor people, PM Modi said, "I seek forgiveness from all countrymen, and my conscience tells me that you will definitely forgive me as I had to take certain decisions which have put you in a lot of difficulties, especially when I look at my poor brothers and sisters, I definitely feel that that they must be thinking, what kind of Prime Minister is this who has placed us in this difficulty".

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"Nobody likes to takes such strong measures, but after looking at the situation all over the world it seems this is the only option to keep you and your family protected. Coronavirus has put the entire world in lockdown, so 'India is doing the same', said Modi during his address to the nation.

"It is a challenge before everyone, science and knowledge, poor and rich, powerful and weak. It is neither restricted to a nation nor region or particular weather. This virus is bent upon killing human beings, eliminating them. Hence all of us, the entire humanity, must unite and resolve to eliminate it," he added.

During his address to the nation on March 24, the Prime Minister had announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of the deadly virus. (ANI REPORT)