Pushes for population control in his 92-min I-Day speech
Buoyed with the massive mandate from the people during 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday delivered his sixth (in a row) address to the nation from the ramparts of the Mughal-era structure Red Fort.
The PM announced a slew of policy decisions taken by his Government during the first 75 days. The PM announced a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) post to oversee the tri-services, a “Jal jeevan mission” to provide water for all and an investment of Rs 100 lakh crore in infrastructure.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government move to do away with the ‘special status’ to Jammu & Kashmir provided under Article 370 of the Constitution, formed the focus of the PM’s 92-minute long speech interspersed with varied issues facing the country.
The PM on the 73rd Independence Day address to the nation dwelt at length to justify the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A and took potshots at the previous Governments, especially led by the Congress party.
“One Nation, One Constitution — this spirit has become a reality and India is proud of it,” Modi said while reiterating that his Government’s decisions to end the special status granted to Jammu & Kashmir and bifurcating it into Union Territories (UTs) were the culmination of India’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s dream of a unified India”.
The PM said his Government was not the one to allow the festering issue of Articles 370 and 35A to linger. Launching a blistering attack on the previous Congress Governments, the PM said, “Agar dhara 370 aur 35A, itna zaruri tha to pichhle 70 saalo me isko permanent kyu nahi kiya, kyu temporary karke rakha (if it was so important life-changing and you were very sure about its impact, why did it remain temporary during last 70 years and why despite having huge majority, these two articles were not made permanent)?”
Also, the PM touched upon the often discussed but contentious subject of ‘population explosion’ in the country and expressed concern about its possible fallout in the long run. “Those who believed in having their family to only two children were true patriots and they deserved respect,” he said.
He also defended the ban on triple talaq or instant divorce and said it was much needed for the welfare and empowerment of Muslim women, saying, “If we can take steps against ‘sati’, female foeticide, child marriage and dowry, then why not against instant triple talaq?”
The PM said the Government planned to spend Rs 3.5 lakh core to bring piped water to every home and spend Rs 100 core in infrastructure building and pitched for drinking water to each and every household in the country by 2022 when India attains 75 years of its freedom. “It is unfortunate that so many people lack access to water even 70 years after independence,” he said. “The period between 2014 and 2019 was about fulfilling people’s needs. Now is the time to meet their aspirations and dreams”, he added.
The PM urged people to shun single-use plastic and encouraged usage of jute and cloth bags to protect the environment.
“During my 2014 speech, I spoke about cleanliness. It became a movement in the country and the common man took it up with gusto. Today, I have another request. By October 2, on the birth anniversary of dear Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi), I want to urge the citizens to give up single-use plastic,” said Modi.
“Shopkeepers should sell jute and cloth bags. Customers should adopt ways to reduce plastic usage. We must also put technologies in use to abolish plastic usage,” the PM said. He also stressed that people must buy indigenous products and strives to make the policy of “Make in India” a success.
Though the PM did not name Pakistan during his national address but said, “India will continue to expose those supporting, sheltering and exporting terrorism, asserting there is no ambiguity in its approach in dealing with the challenge”. “India has a clear and firm policy of going after those spreading fear and resorting to violence. India will keep on fighting decisively against those spreading terrorism. Any incident of terrorism in any part of the world is a war against humanity. This is why India is making efforts to expose those supporting, sheltering and exporting terrorism in an effort to strengthen global efforts to deal with the menace,” the Prime Minister said.
He congratulated people of Afghanistan for their Independence Day that was just four days away, in a subtle rub to Pakistan that is seen as the mischief monger in disturbing the peace in Afghanistan, often referred as the “Roof of the World”
During his marathon speech, the Prime Minister reminded people about the ills of corruption. “My dear countrymen, you know it very well that corruption and nepotism has hurt our country beyond imagination and it has infiltrated our lives like termites. We are trying continuously to throw it out,” he said.
“Bad habits and old diseases get cured sometimes but it is seen that such diseases often return back at the first available opportunity. Corruption is a disease and to defeat it, we have taken certain steps by using technology continuously. We have received a certain degree of success in weeding out corruption but the malaise of corruption is so deeply ingrained, it will take sustained efforts to root it out completely” he said and adding the Centre has been trying sincerely to ensure that honesty and transparency are recognized.
Prime Minister ended his speech with his Bharat Mata ki Jai and Vande Mataram as enthusiastic school children joined him in the raising the pitch.