PM Modi attends Delhi Dussehra event, hailing festival as victory over terror and tyranny

Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined Vijayadashami celebrations in east Delhi on Tuesday, telling a large gathering that the festival represents a decisive declaration against tyranny and terror.

Speaking at the event organised by the Shri Ramlila Committee Indraprastha at IP Extension, Modi described the traditional burning of effigies and the staging of Ramlila not merely as an annual ritual, but as an enduring affirmation of the victory of truth over falsehood. His remarks framed the cultural occasion as a mirror to modern India's unity and its growing capacity to overcome disruptive forces.

What PM Modi said at the Ramlila gathering

Addressing the crowd gathered for the festivities, the Prime Minister extended greetings to the nation and paid homage to the central figures of the epic.

"On Vijayadashami, I offer my salutations at the feet of Lord Shri Ram, Mother Janaki, and Bajrangbali. I extend my heartfelt wishes for Vijayadashami to all my countrymen," Modi said during his address.

He pointed out that the message of Vijayadashami carries timeless relevance for governance and society, marking a universal boundary between righteousness and destructive forces. Modi characterised the festival as a formal proclamation that falsehood, lawlessness and cruelty cannot endure against a unified moral resolve.

National resolve against terror and tyranny

Modi drew a direct line between the moral lessons of the Ramayana and India's contemporary drive for peace and security. Framing the defeat of evil as a symbol of collective resistance, he stressed that a nation grounded in shared values can effectively dismantle terror in all its forms.

Underlining the mood across the country, the Prime Minister noted how deeply festive traditions unite urban centres and rural towns alike.

"Today, every corner of India is imbued with the spirit of Lord Ram, in every village and every city," Modi said. "The entire nation is immersed in the spirit of the Ramlila."

Security and public festivities in Delhi

The event at IP Extension saw extensive arrangements to manage large holiday crowds, reflecting the high public interest that surrounds major public appearances in the capital during the festival week. Thousands gathered across several public grounds across Delhi on Tuesday evening to watch the ceremonial burning of the effigies of Ravana, Meghnad, and Kumbhakaran.

For the central government, the occasion offered a platform to showcase cultural cohesion as an anchor of national stability. By linking the celebration of Vijayadashami to the ongoing defeat of terror, Modi's address reinforced his administration's emphasis on civilisational confidence and security as foundational pillars of the country's development.