Storm over Modi’s use of a Kargil martyr’s line

After setting off a row with his “yeh dil maange more” remark, invoking the name Kargil martyr Vikram Batra, BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi claimed he would rather “quit politics rather than even thinking about disrespecting such citizens”. Mr Modi clarified in his 3D speech that he held Capt. Batra and his family in high esteem. Mr Modi was criticised for invoking the martyr’s name when, speaking at a rally in Himachal Pradesh, he used the phrase “yeh dil maange more” to seek 300 Lok Sabha seats. The phrase is said to have been used by Capt. Batra during the Kargil war.
“A son of this soil of Himachal, Capt. Vikram Batra, had sacrificed his life and he said ‘yeh dil maange more’. I also say ‘yeh dil maange more’. We want all the four Lok Sabha seats from Himachal, and 300 lotuses from India,” Mr Modi said.
Capt. Batra’s father, G.L. Batra, said his son should not be dragged into politics. Capt. Batra’s mother Kamal Kanta Batra is an AAP candidate from Hamirpur. “Doing politics over the name of Vikram Batraji, I don’t think, is good,” said his father.
The Congress joined in, saying martyrs’ names shouldn’t be used for “petty political purposes”. Said party spokesman Randeep Surjewala: “I think it’s become Shri Modi’s habit to denigrate everybody, including memories of a martyr.”
Mr Modi later said: “Is it a crime to remember a martyr? When I went to Kolkata, I remembered Subhash Chandra Bose, (in) Jhansi I remembered Rani Laxmibai... Today I went to Himachal and remembered the great son of India, Vikram Batra. When I returned to Ahmedabad I got to know my political rivals have distorted my statement. I was deeply hurt.”