<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 12th Independence Day address from the Red Fort, dwelt on a wide range of topics relating to national security. He also spoke about the economy, law and justice, and the needs of the youth, explaining his government’s policies and actions. </p>.<p>It is the prime minister’s prerogative to speak to the nation about his concerns, hopes and expectations on one of the most important days in the national calendar. He looked back with pride and conviction on the achievements of his government and not so convincingly about the failures of others, and cast a long look on the country’s bright and viksit future. </p>.<p>He also flagged some imagined concerns, couching them in political and communal terms, and giving them an urgency and importance they did not deserve. Prime ministers sometimes fail to rise above their politics even when they speak from the national rostrum. </p>.<p>Modi rightly lauded the armed forces for Operation Sindoor and their commitment to the defence of the country, and warned its adversaries against hostile and unfriendly actions. He spoke of the need to make the country self-reliant, and underlined the importance of his Make in India, Vocal for Local and ‘aatmanirbharta’ policies, particularly in the economy and defence sectors. </p>.<p>The idea has a special resonance in the wake of the May hostilities with Pakistan and the tariff war unleashed by US President Donald Trump. Modi announced a plan to develop an indigenous defence system, called Sudarshan Chakra, expected to be deployed by 2035. He also promised a Rs 1 lakh crore Rozgar Yojana for the young, invoked the symbolism of naari shakti, and cited the achievements of the country in various fields. The promises included next generation GST reforms, to be rolled out by Diwali, to reduce the tax burden and make goods and services cheaper. </p>.<p>The prime minister announced the launch of a high-powered Demography Mission to address what he called a deliberate conspiracy to change the demography of the country. No proof of such a conspiracy was given and the announcement is in line with the politics of communal dog whistling that the Hindutva groups have been pursuing. </p>.<p>It is no surprise that Modi also praised the RSS and its activities. The theme of infiltration has been used in the past electorally and politically and his announcement indicates that it will be pushed to the front in the coming days. The move goes beyond justified concerns over illegal immigration and aims to create a polarising narrative against some sections of society. </p>
<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 12th Independence Day address from the Red Fort, dwelt on a wide range of topics relating to national security. He also spoke about the economy, law and justice, and the needs of the youth, explaining his government’s policies and actions. </p>.<p>It is the prime minister’s prerogative to speak to the nation about his concerns, hopes and expectations on one of the most important days in the national calendar. He looked back with pride and conviction on the achievements of his government and not so convincingly about the failures of others, and cast a long look on the country’s bright and viksit future. </p>.<p>He also flagged some imagined concerns, couching them in political and communal terms, and giving them an urgency and importance they did not deserve. Prime ministers sometimes fail to rise above their politics even when they speak from the national rostrum. </p>.<p>Modi rightly lauded the armed forces for Operation Sindoor and their commitment to the defence of the country, and warned its adversaries against hostile and unfriendly actions. He spoke of the need to make the country self-reliant, and underlined the importance of his Make in India, Vocal for Local and ‘aatmanirbharta’ policies, particularly in the economy and defence sectors. </p>.<p>The idea has a special resonance in the wake of the May hostilities with Pakistan and the tariff war unleashed by US President Donald Trump. Modi announced a plan to develop an indigenous defence system, called Sudarshan Chakra, expected to be deployed by 2035. He also promised a Rs 1 lakh crore Rozgar Yojana for the young, invoked the symbolism of naari shakti, and cited the achievements of the country in various fields. The promises included next generation GST reforms, to be rolled out by Diwali, to reduce the tax burden and make goods and services cheaper. </p>.<p>The prime minister announced the launch of a high-powered Demography Mission to address what he called a deliberate conspiracy to change the demography of the country. No proof of such a conspiracy was given and the announcement is in line with the politics of communal dog whistling that the Hindutva groups have been pursuing. </p>.<p>It is no surprise that Modi also praised the RSS and its activities. The theme of infiltration has been used in the past electorally and politically and his announcement indicates that it will be pushed to the front in the coming days. The move goes beyond justified concerns over illegal immigration and aims to create a polarising narrative against some sections of society. </p>
