Opinion Priyanka Chaturvedi writes: The many distortions in PM’s I-Day speech

I was impressed with the PM talking of the 3Ds that will help India propel forward and call itself a developed economy, demography, democracy and diversity, because these are the very things that his government has attacked in the past nine years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation from the historic Red Fort on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. (PTI Photo)

Priyanka Chaturvedi

August 22, 2023 09:30 AM IST First published on: Aug 16, 2023 at 04:43 PM IST

August 15, 2023 is a day to remind the nation of the sacrifices made by our forefathers for the freedoms we enjoy today. When a Prime Minister speaks from the ramparts of the Red Fort, the nation listens, including those who may disagree with him and vociferously oppose him. The speech of the Prime Minister should tell the nation how far we have come and offer a vision for how far we have to go. However, PM Modi reduced this year’s speech to an election speech, a rehash of what we had heard from him just a few days ago in Parliament. The only redeeming factor was that he remembered the people of Manipur right at the beginning of his speech, rather than as an afterthought. This was the case in his Lok Sabha speech when the Opposition was compelled to walk out after hearing 90 minutes of his 144 minute speech. This address to the nation was filled with distortions, lies, exaggerations and vague promises.

By starting his speech with a cursory reference to what is going on in Manipur, the PM failed to address the devastation caused by the violence in Manipur. He refused to acknowledge his own silence as well as that of his cabinet for 80 days after violence broke out in Manipur. Even in the Lok Sabha, their MP and allies from Manipur were not allowed to speak and express their anguish. As per news reports, Lorho S Pfoze, Outer Manipur MP from the Naga People’s Front, the BJP’s only Lok Sabha ally in Manipur, was “advised informally by his friends in the alliance, particularly the BJP, not to speak on the issue.” Even Minister of State R K Ranjan Singh, whose house was burnt down in the ongoing violence, was not given a chance to speak. Yet, our Prime Minister continued to speak of Amrit Kaal in the backdrop of the violence in Manipur and Haryana.

Also Read | PM Modi’s Independence Day speech top quotes: ‘Manipur situation can be resolved only through peace’

I was impressed with the PM talking of the 3Ds that will help India propel forward and call itself a developed economy: Demography, democracy and diversity. I’m impressed, because these are the 3Ds that his government has constantly attacked in the past nine years!

Democracy under PM Modi has been the hardest hit — right from parliamentary logjam to institutions being undermined to the toppling of non-BJP governments through the misuse of the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax Department and Central Bureau of Investigation. The centralisation of power and absolute disregard of the PM towards Parliament is for all to see. The interference of governors in various state governments, despite the Supreme Court coming down heavily on them, hasn’t deterred the Modi government. The overturning of SC judgments, whether on the Delhi Services Bill or the committee on appointment of Chief Election Commissioner, are cases in point. The Supreme Court calling the extension of ED Director “illegal” did not even make them wince before asking for further extension.

Also Read | Independence Day: At 90 minutes, PM Modi’s speech among his longest; Nehru, Indira delivered shortest ones

Now for demography. A lot of student protests have been witnessed across the nation over non-availability of government jobs. This year, a record number of students from India chose to move to foreign universities to pursue job opportunities away from home. The data speaks for itself — today one out of four educated youth is jobless, many are underemployed, with some choosing to take up gig jobs which provide no job security.

Also Read | Crass election speech filled with distortions, lies: Congress on Modi address

The less said the better about this government’s respect for diversity when the delicate balance of social harmony of the country is being attacked by the BJP and its rabid affiliates. A progressive state like Maharashtra also saw communal clashes under the unconstitutional BJP and Shinde Sena government, leading the SC to ask if the government is “impotent”. Haryana saw communal violence in Nuh and Manipur is seeing ethnic violence. The increased acts of violence and discrimination against minorities is even being commented upon by leading global agencies.

The PM spoke of corruption and “pariwarwaad” (nepotism) which is both hilarious and saddening, when we still have unanswered questions regarding the Hindenburg report, CAG reports and the many scams unravelling in BJP-governed states including Maharashtra. As a representative from the state of Maharashtra, it sounds ludicrous to me when the PM speaks of corruption while having recently “acquired” the alliance of Ajit Pawar (another product of pariwarwaad in the growing list) who was accused of corruption of over 70,000 crores, not to forget several others accused of corruption who have become squeaky clean after joining the BJP!

Also Read | Express View on PM Modi’s I-Day speech: The long viewfinder

For a political party that does not respect the women of the country, to speak of “women-led development” is hypocritical. The country won’t forget their response to the women wrestlers who were asking for justice, neither will we forget how women who were paraded naked and brutally raped had to knock at the door of the Supreme Court to get justice.

As the saying goes, one lie has the power to tarnish a thousand truths — in your case Mr Prime Minister, the lie-o-meter has reached dangerous levels. Still, the truth shall and will prevail. We, the people of INDIA, will hold you to account.

The writer is a Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP