Mann Ki Baat: Modi lauds Election Commission’s ‘commitment to fair elections’

Last week, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that there was a “serious problem” with the nation’s electoral system. He said the poll panel was not being “transparent” on what he called an “increase” of one crore voters in Maharashtra between the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

Addressing the year’s first Mann Ki Baat edition Sunday, the Prime Minister said the EC has modernised and strengthened the voting process, empowering the people. “The Commission has used the power of technology to give more strength to the power of the people. I congratulate the EC for its commitment to fair elections,” he said.

The PM said: “Our Constitution makers have given a very important place in the Constitution to our Election Commission and to people’s participation in democracy. Some people were doubtful whether the country’s democracy would survive. But our democracy proved all apprehensions wrong — after all, India is the Mother of Democracy. In the past decades as well, the country’s democracy has strengthened and prospered.”

“I would like to urge the countrymen to use their right to vote, always, in the largest numbers and strengthen the country’s democratic process,” he said.

At the beginning of the broadcast, Modi paid tribute to B R Ambedkar, Rajendra Prasad and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, who participated in the Constituent Assembly debates. The episode also played clips of their speeches from that time.

Elaborating on the clips, Modi said: “Baba Saheb was emphasizing that the Constituent Assembly should remain united and work together for the welfare of all. Dr Rajendra Prasad talked about the commitment to human values. Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee raised the topic of the commonality of opportunities.”

He said this year’s Republic Day is special as it is the 75th anniversary of the Indian Republic. The monthly broadcast, which takes place on the last Sunday of every month, was advanced owing to Republic Day celebrations on next Sunday.

In the 118th Episode of Mann Ki Baat, Modi also mentioned the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. “You must have seen that the youth are extensively participating in Kumbh. It is true that when the young generation proudly joins its civilization, then its roots become stronger and its golden future is assured. This time we are also witnessing the digital footprints on a large scale in Kumbh,” he said.

In the episode, Modi also described the consecration of Lord Ram’s idol in Ayodhya as the “re-establishment of the cultural consciousness of India”. The first anniversary of the consecration ceremony was on January 11.

Paying tribute to Subhas Chandra Bose, whose birth anniversary falls this month, the PM said: “Imagine the scenes of the freedom movement. World War II was happening, the fight for freedom was at its peak in India. Amid all this, a well-dressed person in his car moves to Gomoh, now in Jharkhand, then takes a train, and somehow moves outside the country to Europe. I am talking about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. He was a great administrator. He was there on the radio as well. His address would motivate people. I remember him. I request the youths of the country to read as much as possible about him and take inspiration from him.”