What Should PM Modi Say in Last I-Day Speech Before 2019 Polls?

We asked political experts and journalists to weigh in on the issues Modi should address in his Independence Day speech.

(Photo: The Quint/Erum Gour)

#WWMS or What Will Modi Say, when he delivers his final Independence Day speech as prime minister before 2019 elections?

Will he abolish personal income tax? Will he announce free healthcare? Will we finally get the promised Rs 15 lakh in our bank accounts? The speculation about #WWMS is a bottomless pit. And one can’t blame the prime minister for crowdsourcing ideas during last week’s Mann ki Baat.

The responses ranged from the predictable– like “invoke sentiments of Swadeshi to make India self-reliant” – to the bizarre – “KYC for social media” and “establish a ministry for men”.

The prime minister needs help, so The Quint reached out to political experts, analysts and commentators for some suggestions.

Address Attacks on Those Critical of the Government: Umar Khalid

A day after having survived an attack by an unknown assailant on his life, student leader Umar Khalid took to Twitter to ask PM Modi to guarantee in his independence day speech that there will be no attacks on those who criticise the government.

(Photo: Umar Khalid)

The fact that two days before Independence Day, in one of the most ‘’high security’’ zones of the national capital, an armed assailant could dare to attack me in broad daylight only goes onto show the brazen impunity that some people feel they enjoy under the present regime.

Umar Khalid

Address Rampaging Gau Rakshaks: Karan Thapar

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I think this Independence Day, the prime minister should address the issues of lynching, rampaging gau rakshaks, the protection of Dalits and Muslims, love jihad, etc. His silence has often been taken as acquiescence of some kind in these matters. So I think he should vociferously speak out against all this and address these important issues forcefully and unequivocally and, if need be, repeatedly.

Karan Thapar, Veteran Journalist & Interviewer, Author, ‘Devil’s Advocate: The Untold Story’

Address Equitable Access to Education & Healthcare: Gul Panag

Film actress and model Gul Panag says that she would like to hear PM Modi say in his independence day speech that the country is working on creating a level playing field for all.

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Address Neighbourhood Ties: Suhasini Haider

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I hope Prime Minister Modi speaks of India’s neighbourhood in his speech, his last independence day speech in this tenure, especially since he began his tenure with the “SAARC moment”. India’s ties in the neighbourhood seem to have flagged since then, and it would be interesting to hear how he intends to address that.

Suhasini Haider, Deputy Resident Editor & Diplomatic Affairs Editor, The Hindu

PM Must Address Kashmir Issue: Arati Jerath

There are two troubling issues which I would like the prime minister to address from the ramparts of Red Fort. One is the rapidly increasing incidence of mob lynching in the name of the cow. Although Modi condemned it in his recent interviews, speaking out on Independence Day in his address to the nation would have an altogether different impact. And he must condemn mob lynching in the strongest possible terms and indicate that his government is seriously considering a separate law to punish the crime, as suggested by the Supreme Court.

Arati Jerath, Senior Delhi-based Journalist & Political Commentator

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The other issue which I would like him to speak on is Kashmir. When educated people with college degrees pick up arms to fight the State, it means we are going horribly wrong. Whatever the government has tried in the last four years, muscular tactics then the soft approach through ceasefire and now again a security crackdown, clearly nothing is working. I would like to hear Modi reach out to the Kashmiris and own them as our citizens, as Indians, not Pakistan-paid stone-pelters or enemies. He should invoke Vajpayee and repeat his offer of dialogue within the boundaries of <i>insaniyat</i>.

Arati Jerath, Senior Delhi-based Journalist &amp; Political Commentator

Address Mob Violence: Revati Laul

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Journalist Revati Laul suggested the prime minister address the issue of mob violence. He should say:

I promise to deliver to all Indians what the Constitution mandates is my duty... liberty, equality and fraternity in a sovereign, socialist, secular republic. This means taking action against mobs who take the law into their own hands and saying and doing things that make every Muslim, Dalit, tribal and marginalised person feel they are protected.

Address Human Rights Challenges: Arijit Sen

This Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi must detail his efforts to address serious human rights challenges in the country. The government must commit to upholding the human rights enshrined in the Constitution of India and international human rights standards.

Arijit Sen, Amnesty International, India

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In particular,

1. Hate crimes against people from marginalised communities and attacks on Human Rights Defenders must be stopped, and those responsible must be brought to justice.
2. The crackdown on freedom of expression must end and a free, diverse and independent environment must be established for the media.
3. The government must continue its longstanding tradition of providing refuge to those fleeing serious human rights violations.

Promise To Value All Lives Equally: Purba Ray

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According to author Purba Ray, PM Modi should say:

As Pradhan Sevak, I promise to value all lives equally irrespective of their caste, religion or their bhakti towards me. My actions will speak louder than my words.

‘He Who Lives Here is Indian’: Bishwadeep Moitra

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Bishwadeep Moitra suggests Modi to say:

Mitron, since the Indus Valley Civilisation, the lot who came to live in our great land franchised the lot who arrived after them. Indians are a coalition of travellers who have chosen to stay. He who lives here is an Indian.

Bishwadeep Moitra, Founding Member, Outlook, Author, ‘The Printress of the Mughal Garden’