What does India's opposition think of PM's Independence Day speech? Uninspiring, failed to...

Aug. 15, 2024, 9:46 a.m.

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Opposition figures criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday for his Independence Day speech, asserting that it lacked the ability to unite and motivate the people or address critical issues confronting the nation.

D Raja, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), commented that the prime minister's address from the Red Fort on India's 78th Independence Day did not present any unifying or inspiring agenda for the nation.

"His words align with the harmful, divisive agenda of the RSS," Raja stated to PTI.

Advertisement "The prime minister speaks of 2047, yet he failed to acknowledge the nation's diversity and pluralism. He is attempting to impose uniformity on the country," he alleged.

The CPI leader mentioned that, among other omissions, Prime Minister Modi did not discuss how the allegations raised in the Hindenburg Research report would be handled.

"What actions will he take regarding the Hindenburg accusations? All institutions are compromised, including SEBI. The Election Commission was previously compromised. The Prime Minister failed to address any genuine challenges facing the nation today," he stated.

Annie Raja, General Secretary of the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) and CPI leader, criticized the prime minister and questioned the feasibility of a single national election.

”What is the ’One Nation One Election’ proposal? He is boasting about achieving economic superpower status by 2047… he should have the same confidence to acknowledge that this country can hold elections at different times,” she stated.

”If this country can’t allocate resources for an election, what are we discussing about 2047? I don’t understand his motive behind ’One Nation One Election’… the primary concern should be to ensure free and fair elections,” Annie Raja said.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Manoj Jha commented that the prime minister has not grasped the fact that there is only one PM for the entire country, and those who voted for the opposition do not have a separate PM.

Advertisement ”The most crucial and worrying point is that even for the 11th time, Narendra Modi has failed to comprehend that he is the country’s prime minister. The opposition, or the people who did not vote for him, do not have a separate prime minister,” Jha asserted.

The Rajya Sabha MP stated, ”Every time we anticipated him to show empathy, we have been let down. Even a polite conversation can appear awkward if it is conducted rudely. Whether the statement on Viksit Bharat, mentioning that some people desire destruction, this is a political speech.” ”Today he discussed a secular civil code. Secularism is a gradual process, it needs to be instilled. Each time we expect the PM to abandon a narrow perspective and adopt a broader viewpoint, he disappoints,” Jha added.

Advertisement Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday strongly advocated for a uniform civil code in the nation, emphasizing that a ”secular civil code” replacing the current ”communal” one is a pressing need.

In his 11th consecutive address to the nation, the first of his third term, from the Red Fort on Independence Day, Modi strongly advocated for a unified national election cycle.

During his 98-minute speech, his longest Independence Day address, Modi asserted that India is in its golden age and that a developed nation by 2047 awaits. He reiterated his commitment to eliminating casteism and nepotism from Indian politics.

In his address, he advocated for the participation of 100,000 young individuals with no political family connections in public life, believing their fresh perspectives will revitalize democracy.