Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi performed shastra puja ( worship of weapons) at his official residence in Gandhinagar on Vijaya Dashami (Dussera) morning. However contrary to last year’s Dussera, the National Security Guard weapons were not used in this traditional ceremony. Only traditional symbolic weapons such as swords were used during the puja.

While Modi performed traditional puja, the NSG guards, on duty to protect him, and Gandhiangar police officials were present there with in praying posture.

Last year, weapons of Modi’s security guards such as Sub machine guns, AK series assault rifles, and prohibited bore pistols were worshipped by Modi on Vijaya Dashami as per the ‘Shastra puja’ tradition. Photo of this puja was published next da on front page of several national daiies.

Later National Security Guard headquarter had instructed NSG jawans not to leave their weapons for any purpose including Vijaya Dashami puja.

Speaking to media persons, Shri Modi said:”Our culture involves Shastra and Shastra. Here Shastra(weapon) is as valuable as Shastra(literature). Hindus have thousands of years tradition that they have never occupied even one inch of land, they have never invaded someone. Lord Rama gave us a message when he went to Srilanka, he didn’t think about establishing his rule there. He installed ‘Samskar’ and ‘Sanskriti’ there and came back. This Lord Rama was victorious on Vijaya Dashmi. This Vijaya Dashmi should give us to overcome on self. This should fuel our progress by giving us capacity to overcome our shortcomings. And this is my wish on this Vijaya Dashami.”