In an effort to reach out to not just all sections of society but also to the opposition, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has struck a conciliatory note and underlined the need to uplift the conditions of minorities, including Muslims.
Responding to the debate on the on Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in the parliament, Modi underscored the importance of opposition in a democracy and welcomed their criticism and scepticism by asserting that it will prevent the government at the centre from succumbing to arrogance.
Focussing his attention on the plight of Muslims —- an issue that has been raised time and again by his detractors to attack him for his alleged inaction during the 2002 Gujarat riots when he was the state’s chief minister —- Modi identified the Muslim community as one of the most backward sections of society and stressed on the need to bring in policies and programmes for the welfare of this community that accounts for 13.4% of India’s total population. “If one organ of the body remains weak, the body cannot be termed as healthy. We are committed to this. We don’t see it as appeasement,” he said.
In his maiden speech in the Lok Sabha (India’s upper house), he spoke eloquently about his “dreams” of converting the image of the country from “scam India” to “skills India” through “cooperative federalism”.
Elaborating on his idea of governance, the new prime minister of India emphasised the importance of co-operative federalism in place of “big brother attitude” towards the Indian states. Modi, who served as Gujarat’s chief minister for over a decade, spelled his mantra of federalism. “There should be competition among states for development; I want to hear states saying they have left Gujarat behind.”
Outlining his inclusive agenda for the poor, Modi stressed that the foremost priority of his government would be alleviate the conditions of the poor and ensure that nobody is without a house with water, electricity and toilet by 2022, when the country celebrates 75th year of Independence.
In the wake of the rape and murder of two adolescent girls in Uttar Pradesh a few weeks ago, Prime Minister Modi also came down heavily on the political leaders who have been making insensitive remarks on the issue by requesting them to stop “psychoanalysing” such crimes. Terming it “unbecoming” for politicians to play with the dignity of women, Modi instead asked the leaders to introspect and also vowed to take strict actions against increasing incidents of violence against women in India.
In the backdrop of India being shamed by the western media for its inability to provide security to its women, Modi’s assurance and admonition to those who have refused to acknowledge the gravity of the situation has assumed importance. However, several leaderships have hummed the same tune in the past. What remains to be seen is that if promises translate into results in days to come.
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