New Delhi— Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a 103-minute speech — the longest Independence Day address by any Prime Minister from the Red Fort — marking the 78th year of India’s freedom. His address combined announcements of new initiatives with sharp political undertones, sparking immediate reactions from opposition leaders, reported the Maktoob Media.
Modi hailed the armed forces for the success of Operation Sindoor, warning Pakistan that India would “not yield to nuclear blackmail.” He unveiled several policy measures, including GST reforms to be rolled out by Diwali aimed at lowering prices of essential goods, the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgaar Yojana to boost employment, and Mission Sudarshan Chakra to advance national security and weapons systems development.
Significantly, he alleged a “well-planned plot” to alter India’s demographic composition, accusing infiltrators of taking jobs, targeting women, misleading tribal communities, and seizing land. A high-powered mission, he said, would be set up to tackle the “challenge.”
Modi also criticised past Congress governments, claiming India’s semiconductor ambitions — conceived decades ago — were “killed in the womb,” delaying technological progress by 50–60 years.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh dismissed the address as “stale, hypocritical, insipid, and troubling,” accusing Modi of “pathological lying” and pointing out that India’s first semiconductor facility, Semiconductor Complex Ltd, was established in Chandigarh in 1983 under Congress leadership.
Ramesh accused Modi of repeating “empty slogans” like Viksit Bharat, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas without delivering concrete results. He criticised the government’s record on farmers’ welfare, citing the controversial farm laws, absence of a legal MSP guarantee, and lack of loan waivers.
He also condemned the Prime Minister’s reference to the RSS from the Red Fort as a “blatant breach” of secular values, alleging that Modi’s political survival now depended on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s support. “The PM was tired today. Soon he will be retired,” Ramesh remarked.
In her Independence Day address, President Droupadi Murmu described Operation Sindoor as “a landmark example in humanity’s fight against terrorism” and emphasised the constitutional pillars of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. She highlighted India’s 6.5% GDP growth, declining income inequality, and narrowing regional disparities, urging citizens to work towards making India a developed nation by 2047.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge marked the occasion by hoisting the national flag at Indira Bhawan, joined by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, senior leaders, and party workers.
