Cannot Accept Violence in the Name of Faith: Modi in I-Day Address
India is celebrating its 71st independence day today.
India is celebrating its 71st Independence Day today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the Red Fort. The ceremonies at the Red Fort happened amid a tight security cover.
- PM Modi addressed the nation from the Red Fort on the occasion of India’s 71st Independence Day
- ‘We cannot accept violence in the name of faith’, PM Modi said during his address
- He also talked about the need to embrace all Kashmiris, and spoke about the benefits of GST
- Bringing up the Gorakhpur incident where at least 65 children died, Modi said the ‘people of India stand with those affected by the tragedy’
- Speaking for 57 minutes, Modi delivered his shortest Independence Day speech in four years
Indian and Pakistani Soldiers Exchange Sweets at Wagah
Border guards of India and Pakistan exchange sweets and greetings at Attari-Wagah border.
President Ramnath Kovind Pays Tribute At Amar Jawan Jyoti on Independence Day
Modi Keeps His Promise, Delivers His Shortest Independence Day Speech
Having made a record of delivering the longest Independence Day speech last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his shortest speech from the ramparts of Red Fort this year.
Modi spoke for 57 minutes, his shortest Independence Day speech in four years.
Last year, he had spoken for 96 minutes, the longest ever Independence Day address by an Indian Prime Minister.
India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru spoke for 72 minutes in 1947 which was till 2015 the longest ever speech from the Red Fort.
He spoke for over 65 minutes in 2014 and 86 minutes in 2015.
Modi's predecessor Manmohan Singh, who delivered 10 speeches over his long tenure at the helm, stuck to the 50- minute mark in his Independence Day speeches.
Watch: Deciphering PM Modi's Independence Day Speech
The Quint's Neeraj Gupta is in conversation with Hilal Ahmed and Harsh Vardhan Tripathi to analyse Modi's Independence Day speech.
Cong Leader Anand Sharma Slams Modi's Independence Day Speech
Congress leader Anand Sharma slammed Modi's Independence Day speech which made mention of GST as well as the Gorakhpur tragedy.
He also criticised Modi for “making tall claims on GST”, mentioning how “he and the BJP” had stalled GST when the UPA was in power.
On the issue of surgical strikes too, Sharma took a dig at Modi, saying:
Political Leaders Celebrate Independence Day
Various political leaders, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, vice-president Rahul Gandhi, former PM Manmohan Singh, BJP chief Amit Shah, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, etc, took part in Independence Day celebrations.
PM Modi ends his Independence Day address.
The Prime Minister ended his speech with chants of ‘Jai Hind’, ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’.
'Cannot Accept Violence in the Name of Faith': PM Modi
Modi also gave a message of peace, saying:
This comes in a context where a number of incidents of mob lynchings have taken place and there has been outrage over the same.
'Successfully Taken Back Illegal Money': PM Modi
Addressing the issue of black money, PM Modi said,
PM Addresses Issue of Job Creation
The Prime Minister harped upon the fact that India has the largest youth demographic in the world. He said this is the age of IT and that citizens should come together to move ahead in the direction of digital transactions.
'Congratulate Those Fighting Against Triple Talaq': PM Modi
PM Modi spoke about the legal tussle over Triple Talaq, saying, "There has been a movement against Triple Talaq in the entire county. I congratulate all my sisters who have been fighting against it”.
There is a Need to Embrace All Kashmiris: PM Modi
Referring to the ongoing unrest in Kashmir, PM Modi emphasised on the need to “embrace” all Kashmiris as a solution to all the problems.
GST Has Shown the Spirit of Cooperative Federalism: Modi
Modi also talked about terrorism, the surgical strikes of last year as well as the Goods and Services Tax during his Independence Day address.
“No softness would be shown when it comes to the fight against terrorism. We have told the terrorists time and again that they should come into the mainstream,” Modi added.
Hailing the Goods and Services Tax, which was implemented from 1 July, he said:
PM appeals to change "Chalta Hai" attitude
PM Modi Brings up Gorakhpur Tragedy During His Address
PM Modi commenced his address to the nation by expressing his respect for those who sacrificed their lives for India's Independence struggle.
He also talked about the Gorakhpur tragedy, where as many as 65 children died, saying:
Prime Minister Unfurls The National Flag at Red Fort
Modi Reaches Rajghat
PM Narendra Modi has reached Rajghat to offer prayers. He will then proceed to the Red Fort to unfurl the national flag and address the nation.
PM Modi Tweets Out I-Day Greeting
Home Minister Unfurls Tricolour
Home Minister Rajnath Singh unfurled the tricolour at his residence early on Tuesday morning.
Security Beefed Up in Preparation for I-Day
In preparation for the Independence Day celebrations on Tuesday, security was strengthened in New Delhi a day prior, with nearly 47,000 personnel deployed, according to a report by Firstpost.
A police official reportedly said that around 25,000 security personnel will be deployed in New Delhi and its surrounding areas. Around 9,000 security personnel will be deployed at the Red Fort and its surrounding region within a five-km radius.
(Love your mother tongue? This Independence Day, tell The Quint why and how you love your bhasha. You may even win a BOL t-shirt! Sing, write, perform, spew poetry – whatever you like – in your mother tongue. Send us your BOL at bol@thequint.com or WhatsApp it to 9910181818.)
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)