BackParliament speech: Statesman Narendra Modi checks in
In his first speech in Parliament, the prime minister makes a pitch for women safety in backdrop of Badaun rape case
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New Delhi: Adopting a statesman-like posture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged politicians cutting across party lines to close ranks and work for the collective good of the country. In his first speech in Parliament since winning a majority in the general election, the first-time prime minister reminded lawmakers that they were “custodians of the hopes and aspirations of millions of Indians".
He then made a case for politicians to strive unitedly for a strong and clean India where the dignity of women is assured, social and economic inclusion is guaranteed, the administration is rid of corruption and politics is decriminalized.
The Prime Minister also broke his silence on a series of rapes that have caused outrage in the country and called for “respect and security for women" to be made a top priority.
The rape and hanging of two teenage women in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, last month caused a political uproar in the northern state over deteriorating law and order.
Modi said women needed to become partners in decision-making. “Fifty percent of India’s population need to be made equal partners and need to feel secure," he said.
The Prime Minister said recent events in Uttar Pradesh—an apparent reference to the Badaun rape-murder—and in Pune and Manali must force lawmakers to introspect and come up with corrective measures.
In Pune, a Muslim information technology worker was recently killed by Hindu activists. More than two dozen students from Hyderabad on holiday were washed away when officials of a Manali dam released water from it without sounding a prior warning.
“The country will not wait for long—our conscience too will not forgive us if we do not act," the Prime Minister said in his reply to a debate on the motion of thanks to the President’ speech to a joint session of Parliament.
Modi reiterated his government’s commitment to inclusion—the driving ideology of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance during its 10 years at the helm.
He said the foremost priority of his government would be uplifting the poor and ensuring that no one is without a house that has water, electricity and a toilet by 2022, when the country celebrates its 75th year of independence.
Referring to the term “rurban" mentioned in the President’s address, Modi argued that the economy would benefit immensely if urban amenities were provided in rural areas, raising the slogan suvidhaa shahar ki, aatma gaon ki (urban facilities, the soul of the village).
Unlike in his election campaign, Modi adopted a conciliatory tone while addressing both Houses of Parliament.
While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has a majority in the Lok Sabha, it is a minority in the Rajya Sabha, where the passage of key legislation will be dependent on the NDA striking a consensus or managing the numbers.
“We can bring about change" but “I don’t want to move forward without you (opposition). I don’t have to move forward on the basis of numbers, but on the basis of collective decision making," Modi said.
“Victory gives lessons and we must learn. It teaches us humility," he added, and offered an assurance that he would take the “blessings of seniors" so that “we are saved from becoming arrogant".
He spoke about his “dreams" of ensuring the country’s progress and converting its image from one of “scam India" to “skills India" through “cooperative federalism".
Invoking Mahatma Gandhi repeatedly, Modi said a “clean India" should be a reality by the time the country celebrates his 150th birth anniversary after five years.
If development and good governance were two promises that had made the voters trust him, the new Prime Minister reminded citizens as well
as parliamentarians that development should be converted into a mass movement as Gandhi did with the freedom struggle.
In the Rajya Sabha, Modi stressed the fight against corruption and the need to seek cooperation with the judiciary to fast-track cases in which political leaders are charged.
Political observers were divided on Modi’s speech.
“So far he has made iconoclastic statements. Now he knows that he needs to soften up," Jai Mrug, a Mumbai-based political analyst, said. “He cannot afford political retribution from the opponents. He knows that no change can happen overnight. So he has to build consensus and that’s the reason he is making the right noise."
Bidyut Chakraborty, a professor of political science at the University of Delhi, said: “It’s too early to pass judgement on the nature of the leadership Modi is going to give because he represents a party that has well-defined ideology. His statement was political and strategic and was from a position of strength."
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