“Sometimes in the name of faith, some people due to lack of patience end up destroying social fabric. The country is governed by peace, harmony and unity. The poison of casteism and communalism can never benefit the country,” the PM said from the ramparts of Red Fort.
“This is the land of Gandhi and Buddha , we have to move forward taking everyone along. This is part of our country’s culture and tradition. We have to successfully carry it forward and that is why in the name of faith, violence cannot be allowed,” he further said.
Though he did not elaborate, Modi’s remarks condemning violence in the name of religion can be seen in the context of his admonition to self-styled ‘gau rakshaks’ for indulging in violence against cattle transporters who have often been Muslims, something which has led opponents to question the sincerity of PM’s “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas” promise. By focusing on it again in his Red Fort speech, the PM has put the concern on a different pedestal, though the remarks this time appear to be directed against all kinds of zealots and extremists.
After more than a year of operation which seem to have given security forces an upper hand, the PM hinted at dialogue in Jammu & Kashmir, saying neither “gaali (abuse) nor goli (bullet)” is the way ahead and every Kashmiri should be embraced to resolve issues.
“There are a lot of charges and counter-charges… everyone is busy abusing everyone else… My mind is clear on how to win this battle. Neither will bullets or abuses solve the problem. Change will happen by embracing every Kashmir. Such is the legacy of 125 crore Indians. Hence, neither by abuse nor by bullets, change will come by embracing all. And we are moving forward with this resolve,” Modi said.
He also spoke about development and progress of J&K being the responsibility of the country as a whole, and not merely the concern of the state government.
He did, however, say there will be no slackening of security operations. “There is no question of being soft on terrorism. We have been asking the extremists to join the mainstream. Democracy provides equal opportunity and rights to be heard by all. The process of engagement can take place only by their joining the mainstream.”
The emphasis was clear enough. Separatists, under investigation for their links with Pakistan and stone-pelters, could become part of the talks process if they demonstrably distanced themselves from violence and considered joining the political mainstream.
Modi also called for a positive outlook to nation-building, saying it is time to give up an indifferent “chalta hai” (business as usual) attitude and adopt a ‘can-do’ or a ‘change-is-possible’ outlook to build a new India that celebrates togetherness and progress of all.
He quoted a sanskrit shloka to say that if action is not taken at the right time, the expected results are not obtained. “We should get rid of this ‘chalta hai’ attitude. We have to think of ‘badal sakta hai’- this attitude will help us as a nation,” he said.
Referring to the need to get rid of the practice of triple talaaq (instant divorce) among Muslims as an issue of women empowerment, he also dwelled at length on social themes saying India is about peace, unity and goodwill.
Though he emphasised that there will be no let-up in action against terrorism and the Centre is expected to keep up the pressure on “nay sayers” like the Hurriyat who are suspected to have been conduits for Pakistan in funding stone-pelting, the PM’s remarks hint at a process that emphasises a development and ‘hearts and minds’ approach that might also include political dialogue with a new set of players who can be goaded to come to the table.
The speech, Modi’s fourth since assuming office and his shortest so far, did not mention, even obliquely, the tensions with China over Doklam and was marked by an absence of foreign policy references as he set out a domestic agenda in the five years to India’s 75th anniversary.
He linked the issues of security to India’s global stature that he said is rising. “Be it hawala or any inputs on terrorism, the global community is supporting us with critical information,” he said, while also dwelling on anti-black money measures. He said the patience of the people during demonetisation has been rewarded as Rs 3 lakh crore of money entered the banking system.
While he used 2022 as a marker, Modi also said the government will complete some 99 schemes, including several to improve agriculture, by 2019 when the Lok Sabha elections are due. He highlighted initiatives against corruption such as demonetisation and GST and dwelled on the need to create more self-employment rather than just regular jobs.
Source : timesofindia
