New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today delivered his longest Independence Day speech at 98 minutes as he addressed the country from the Red Fort. PM Modi’s Independence Day speeches average 82 minutes – longer than any other prime minister in India’s history.

Here are five big highlights from PM Modi’s speech: 

1. Women’s Safety

PM Modi, in a veiled attack on the West Bengal government over the rape and murder of a doctor at a Kolkata hospital, said he feels the outrage in society over atrocities against women.

“There is public outrage over atrocities against our mothers and sisters. I feel this outrage. The country, the society, our state governments need to take this seriously. Crimes against women must be probed as soon as possible, those involved in demonic acts must face strict punishment at the earliest, this is necessary to create faith in society,” the PM said. 

2. Uniform Civil Code

PM Modi made an unequivocal pitch for the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which he referred to as a “secular civil code.” He argued that the current civil code is “communal” and fosters discrimination by dividing the country along religious lines. “A secular civil code in the country is the need of the hour,” he declared, calling it the spirit of the Constitution and a step towards national unity. 

3. Bangladesh

Addressing regional stability, PM Modi expressed concern over the political unrest in Bangladesh, particularly the safety of Hindu minorities. He reiterated India’s commitment to peace and prosperity in its neighbouring country, hoping for the swift restoration of normalcy. “As a neighbouring country, I can understand the concern regarding whatever has happened in Bangladesh. I hope that the situation there gets normal at the earliest,” PM Modi said. “The concerns of 140 crore countrymen to ensure the safety of Hindus and minorities there – India always wants our neighbouring countries to walk the path of prosperity and peace.”

4. Reforms 

PM Modi reiterated his government’s dedication to sweeping reforms, which he described as essential for India’s growth.  “There was an environment of status quo. We had to break that mindset. The common man wanted change, but his dreams were not appreciated and he kept waiting for reforms. We implemented big reforms, for the poor, the middle class, deprived sections of the society and youth,” the Prime Minister said.

5 One Nation, One Election

PM Modi also made a fresh pitch for ‘one nation, one election’ and said extensive consultations have been held across the country on the issue.

“Frequent elections are creating hurdles in the progress of the nation. It has become easy to link any scheme/initiative with elections. There are elections somewhere every three to six months. Every work is linked to elections,” PM Modi said. “The nation has to come forward for one nation, one election.” 
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made a strong pitch for the women’s reservation bill in his opening speech in the new Parliament. Declaring himself “chosen by God for this pious task”, the Prime Minister called for increased focus on women-led development and praised the bill, which was cleared late last evening by the union cabinet and tabled this afternoon. “The world understands that only talking of women(-led) development is not enough… this is a positive step taken on this front.”

The PM also seized the moment to take a swipe at the opposition, stating previous governments – an unstated reference to Congress-led governments that preceded his – failed to clear this bill.

“Parliament has tried (to pass the bill) in the past too… there have been discussions around women’s reservations for years. Can say with pride we have scripted history,” the PM told Parliament.

“The bill was tabled multiple times in Atalji‘s (the late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee) tenure… (now) God has chosen me for this pious task,” the PM declared amid criticism his government delayed passing this bill till now in anticipation of an image boost before next year’s general election.

READ |Women’s Reservation Bill: PM Calls It “Agni Pareeksha For MPs”

The Prime Minister had earlier also said passing the bill – tabled today by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal – will be an “agni pareeksha“, or trial by fire, for MPs.

The Women’s Reservation Bill

The bill proposes 33 per cent reservation for women in parliament and state legislatures.

The Lok Sabha will discuss the bill on Wednesday and the Rajya Sabha will debate it on Thursday.

Differences of opinion over a quota for women within that reserved for SC and ST communities had prevented the bill from clearing Parliament despite having been cleared by the Rajya Sabha in 2010.

The bill then lapsed since it was not taken up by the Lok Sabha within the specified time.

This time around, though, given the Bharatiya Janata Party’s brute majority in the Lok Sabha and support from allies in the Rajya Sabha, the bill is on the verge of becoming law.

READ | Women’s Quota Only By 2029? Exclusive Details Of New Bill

However, the quota may not come into force before 2029, since it will rely on data from a census that has not yet been conducted and a delimitation, or redrawing of constituencies, exercise.

The latter will only take place in 2027 – after the next census.

“It Is Ours”, Says Congress

Ex-Congress boss Sonia Gandhi claimed the bill on behalf of our party and called it “ours”. The Congress also said it welcomed the re-introduction of a bill first tabled its by government.

“It is ours, apna hai,” Mrs Gandhi told reporters.

“I Apologise”, Says PM

Meanwhile, claiming the spirit of a new start in the new Parliament building, the Prime Minister in his speech also offered “apologies… to someone we have hurt intentionally or unintentionally”.

“Samvatsari (a Jain festival) is celebrated today… this is a wonderful tradition. Today is the day we can say ‘micchami dukkadam‘… this gives us the chance to apologise to someone we hurt intentionally or unintentionally. I want to say ‘micchami dukkadam‘ to all Members of Parliament and people of India.”

New Delhi:

Drawing an analogy to a family that shifts into a new home, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that it is a very emotional moment to bid farewell to the Old Parliament building.

He reflected on the various moods that the House has witnessed in all these years and said that these memories are the preserved heritage of all the members of the house.

“Its glory also belongs to us”, he added.

He remarked that the nation has witnessed countless incidents related to the creation of New India in the 75-year-old history of this Parliament House and today is an opportunity to express respect for the ordinary citizen of India. 

The Prime Minister recalled when, as the first-time MP, he came to Parliament and paid his obeisance by bowing to the building.

He said that it was an emotional moment and he could not have imagined that but he said “It is the power of the democracy of India that a poor child who used to earn livelihood on a railway station reached Parliament. I never imagined that the nation would give me this much love, respect and blessings”, he said. 

Quoting the Upanishad sentence inscribed on the gate of the Parliament, the Prime Minister said that the sages said to open the doors for the people and see how they attain their rights.

PM Modi said that current and past members of the House are the witness to the correctness of this assertion. 

PM Modi highlighted the changing composition of the house with passage of the time as it grew more inclusive and representatives from all sections of society started coming to the House. “Inclusive atmosphere has kept manifesting the aspirations of the people with full power”, he said. The Prime Minister noted the contributions of women parliamentarians that have helped in growing the dignity of the House.

Giving a rough estimation, the Prime Minister informed that more than 7500 public representatives have served in both Houses where the number of women representatives is approximately 600.

He also informed that Indrajit Gupta Ji has served for almost 43 years in this House, and Shafiqur Rahman served at the age of 93 years. He also mentioned Chandrani Murmu who was elected to the House at the young age of 25.

PM Modi further noted a sense of family in the House despite arguments and sarcasm and called this a major quality of the House as bitterness never lingers.

He also remembered how, despite severe ailments, the members came to the House to perform their duties including during the difficult time of pandemic.  

Recalling the scepticism during the initial years of the Independence about the viability of the new nation, PM said that it is the strength of the Parliament that all the doubts proved wrong. 

The sittings of the Constituent Assembly for two years and 11 months in the same House and the adoption and promulgation of the Constitution, the Prime Minister said that “In the 75 years the biggest achievement has been the continuously growing trust of the common citizen in their Parliament”.

He said that the house benefitted from the addresses of Presidents from Dr Rajendra Prasad, Dr Kalam to Ramnath Kovind to Droupadi Murmu. 

Referring from the times of Pandit Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri to Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, the PM Modi said, “They have given new direction to the nation under their leadership and today is an occasion to highlight their achievements. He also touched upon Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Ram Manohar Lohia, Chandra Shekhar, Lal Krishna Advani and others who have enriched the discussions in the House and emboldened the voice of the common citizens.”

PM Modi also highlighted the address by various foreign leaders in the House which brings to the fore their respect for India. 

He also touched upon Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Ram Manohar Lohia, Chandra Shekhar, Lal Krishna Advani and others who have enriched the discussions in the House and emboldened the voice of the common citizens.

PM Modi also highlighted the address by various foreign leaders in the House which brings to the fore their respect for India. 

He also recalled moments of pain when the nation lost three Prime Ministers while still in office- Nehru Ji, Shastri Ji and Indira Ji. 

Meanwhile, PM Modi also recalled the dexterous handling of the house by the speakers despite many challenges. He said they created reference points in their decisions.

“17 Speakers including 2 women from Mavlankar to Sumitra Mahajan to Om Birla everyone contributed in their way, taking everyone along,” he said. 

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the contribution of the staff of the Parliament.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)