Asserting the need ‘to take further’ India’s commitment to democracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday affirmed that the country’s power was in the democracy and ‘people’s strength’ which fought tooth and nail against the ‘black night’ of Emergency, imposed on this day in 1975.
Addressing the nation through his monthly radio programme ‘Mann ki Baat’, the Prime Minister said, “Our strength is democracy, our strength is people’s strength and our strength is every citizen and the freedom given to him. We have to take this commitment further and strengthen it.”
“Shining example of democratic powers of a common citizen” was seen during Emergency and “it should keep reminding the nation again and again”, he said.
The Prime Minister maintained that freedom to speak freely and criticise, and commitment to democracy go hand-in-hand.
“Sometimes some people mock at my ‘Mann ki Baat’ programme and even criticise it. This is possible because we are committed to democracy,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the active participation of people and Government’s close contact with them was a must for a true and thriving democracy. He said democracy does not merely mean giving five-year contract to rule and right to vote but goes much beyond these features.
He said that the democracy, which empowers every citizen, had been suppressed on this day in 1975.
“The morning of June 26, 1975, was such a black night when Emergency was imposed on the country. All rights of the citizens were taken away. The country was turned into a prison. Along with Jaiprakash Narain, lakhs of people and thousands of politicians were sent to jails,” he recalled.
“When the newspaper offices are sealed and radio speaks only voice, people on the other hand make you realise the power of democratic forces. This is a big strength for any nation,” he said alluding to the Emergency days.
He said there should be an attitude that people continue to realise their strengths and actively participate in democracy.
“I keep saying that democracy does not mean that you vote and give contract of five years for running the country. Voting is a crucial part of democracy, but there are several other aspects too. The biggest aspect is people’s participation -- the pulse of the people, the thinking of the people. The more Governments associate with the people, the more is the country strengthened,” he said.
“It is the gulf between the people and the Governments, which is the cause of our ailments. It has been my endeavour always to take the country forward through people’s participation,” he said.
Referring to completion of his Government’s two years, the Prime Minister said some “modern-thinking youth” had thrown a “kind of challenge” asking him to get his Government’s performance assessed by the people.
He said when he mentioned this to his senior colleagues, they said it should not be done as in this age technology can be misused and the survey can be taken anywhere.
“They expressed concern. But I thought the risk should be taken. A try should be given. let us see what happens,” Modi said, adding the survey was subsequently carried out on ‘Rate my Government-MyGov.In’ in different languages.
Three lakh people gave answers to all the questions, he said, contending that the sample size is bigger than the ones in surveys carried out after elections.
He said he will not go into the result of the survey as he left it to the media to do so.
“So, did you seeIJ There was a day some years ago when the voice of the countrymen was muzzled on June 26 and there is a time when the people themselves decide whether the Government is performing well or badly. This is the strength of democracy.”
In his radio address, the Prime Minister asked people to declare their undisclosed income by September 30, making it clear that this is the last chance to avoid problems that will follow after the window of opportunity closes.
He said no questions would be asked about the source of the undisclosed income or assets if the declaration is made voluntarily by September 30.
“For those having undisclosed income, the Government has provided a special chance to declare it by September 30,” said Modi.