NEW DELHI: Amid the continuing debate on the issue of alleged intolerance and opposition parties trying to corner the NDA government over it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday elucidated the ‘Idea of India’, saying it was best envisioned by non-violence, respect for all religions, treating the world as a family, giving respect to women and equal opportunities for all.
Seeking to set at rest any doubts about his government, Modi asserted his faith in the Constitution, stating it was the holy book of the country whose religion was “India First.” He also clarified there cannot be any review of this “social document. It would be suicidal to do so.” If Constitution’s architect Dr BR Ambedkar became the rallying point for the government and the opposition, the chief takeaway from the PM’s 70-minute speech at the end of the two-day discussion on Constitution, was that he reached out to the main opposition — Congress — and talked consensus.
He said democracy becomes stronger through consensus, while the concept of majority and minority is always the last resort. Modi praised the role played by Nehru and even acknowledged points raised by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and senior leader Mallikarjun Kharge.
Modi narrated an instance when Ram Manohar Lohia contested then Prime Minister’s figures on some issue. “Pandit Nehru said he would not challenge Lohia. Such was the greatness of Pandit Nehru,” he said. Signalling a thaw in relations with the opposition, as the government is keen to get key reform bills passed, Modi’s speech was heard with rapt attention. Sonia and Rahul Gandhi too were present during his speech as he extensively quoted experts and Constituent Assembly speeches to highlight the 66-year journey of the Republic.
The PM said citizens should pay equal attention to their rights and duties. Interestingly, Modi fell back on his January 19, 2014 speech delivered at the BJP national council meet ahead of the Lok Sabha elections to spell out his idea of India. “Idea of India is Satyamev Jayate (truth alone triumphs), Ahimso Paramo Dharma (non-violence is the best of dharma), Sarva Dharma Sambhav (equal respect to all faiths), Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (whole world is one family), may all be prosperous and happy. One who is a true devotee of God feels the pain of others.” He cited 15 such principles to explain his idea of India.
He reiterated his slogan and said, “The thrust of my government is on ‘sabka saath’ (cooperation with all). No section of the society should lag behind. If any part of the body is paralysed, the body cannot be called healthy. We have to empower people from all sections, be it any community, region or language.” Noting that India has 12 religions, 122 languages and 1,600 dialects and comprises people who are believers in God as well as athiests, he said, “all should get justice. There should be harmony.”