NARENDRA MODI
10-YEAR MORATORIUM ON COMMUNALISM, CASTEISM
Prime Minister’s Narendra Modi’s first speech was historic in many senses. At a time of apprehension about the government’s priorities, the PM announced a moratorium of 10 years on regionalism, communal and caste tensions. Calling himself the Pradhan Sevak (Prime servant), he spoke at length about Swachh Bharat. He also spoke of financial inclusion and announced a scheme for MPs to adopt model villages.
A CORRUPTION-FREE INDIA
In his second speech, Modi made a strong pro-poor, pro-farmer and anticorruption speech. On one hand, he announced Startup India and Stand-up India to appeal to the young and as a mode of job creation.On the other hand, he rolled out a slew of social welfare schemes on pension and insurance. Modi also said that in 1,000 days all none-lectrified villages would be given a power connection.
THANK YOU, BALOCHISTAN
The highlight of Modi’s 86-minute speech was his reference to Balochistan — a sensitive topic for the Pakistan administration. He said he was grateful to the people of Balochistan, Gilgit and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir who had wished India on Independence Day. Modi also used the address to highlight the government’s social goals — including medical aid of up to ₹1 lakh for peo- ple below the poverty line — and reached out to middle class by saying they would be spared the tyranny of the tax authorities.
KASHMIR NEEDS TO BE EMBRACED
At a time when Kashmir continues to face unrest, Modi adopted a conciliatory approach and said the Kashmir problem will be solved neither by gaali (abuses) or goli (bullets) but by embracing all Kashmiris. He also condemned violence in the name of faith and said the slogan before Independence was ‘Bharat Chhodo’ but now it should be ‘Bharat Jodo’. He empathised with Muslim women who had suffered instant triple talaq — which would become a key political theme of his government.