Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged political parties to unite in the national interest and called on citizens to identify and defeat what he described as the “enemies of the country”, as the government seeks to build consensus for the passage of the delimitation-linked Women's Reservation Bill.
Addressing Vijayadashami celebrations at the DDA Utsav Ground in IP Extension, New Delhi, Modi also urged people to follow the motto of “Nation First”, saying forces that harm the country, divide society and oppose its cultural values must be resisted.
“The forces that inflict harm on the country, the people who divide society and the mindset that hates our culture, all these are the enemies of the nation,” he said.
The Prime Minister's appeal for political unity comes amid the government's efforts to secure support for legislation linking the implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies to delimitation. It also comes against the backdrop of opposition protests over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The BJP has accused those behind the protests of attempting to spread anarchy in the country.
Modi said all national institutions and political parties must stand together in the national interest, stressing the need for collective action to fulfil people's aspirations.
Citing a Sanskrit shloka, he said, “May our thoughts be aligned; may all the institutions of the nation, all political parties, stand together for national interests. We must proceed with this very spirit and we must fight together against the enemies of the country.”
The remarks assume significance as the government continues to seek consensus on the delimitation-linked Women's Reservation Bill. On Monday, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju wrote to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, saying the government valued the participation of all political parties in discussions on matters of national importance and expressing hope that the Congress would play a constructive role rather than obstruct important legislation.
Kharge had earlier written to Modi seeking an all-party meeting before the government proceeded with the constitutional amendment Bill.
A previous attempt to pass legislation providing 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, alongside an increase in the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to a maximum of 815 seats, was defeated in the Lok Sabha in April. A two-thirds majority is required to pass a constitutional amendment Bill.
The government has not yet prorogued the monsoon session, which was adjourned sine die on August 13, prompting speculation that the ruling coalition could seek to move the Bill in a special session.
Beginning his address, Modi extended Vijayadashami greetings to citizens and invoked Lord Ram, Mother Janaki and Bajrangbali, saying the festival symbolised the victory of truth over falsehood and the end of tyranny.
“On this sacred occasion of Vijayadashami, I bow at the feet of Lord Shri Ram, Mother Janaki, and Bajrangbali. In this holy atmosphere, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all my fellow citizens on Vijayadashami,” he said.
He said the celebrations, including the staging of Ramleelas across the country, reflected India's cultural traditions and its enduring belief in the triumph of truth.
“For us, these are not merely festivals; they are the life force of India,” he said.
Modi described Ram Rajya as a benchmark of good governance that remained relevant, saying it represented an administration that ensured justice, equal opportunities and public welfare without discrimination.
“Ram Rajya, that is, such a governance where there is no discrimination against anyone, where everyone gets justice, where equal opportunities are available, and where the purpose of power is not to rule, but to serve the welfare of the people; this is the ideal of Lord Shri Ram,” he said.
He urged those in positions of power to draw inspiration from Lord Ram to fulfil people's aspirations and keep the welfare of the poor and disadvantaged at the centre of governance.
“This is the ideal of Lord Shri Ram. Therefore, we must always consider the public as Janardan (divine) and move forward with the mantra of Nagarik Devo Bhava (Citizens are equivalent to God). We must keep the service of the poor and the underprivileged paramount,” he said.
The Prime Minister also invoked Lord Ram's journey to Lanka to stress the importance of self-reliance, determination and collective effort, saying India must trust its own resources and capabilities to overcome challenges.
He said the difficulties Lord Ram faced on the way to Lanka did not deter him, and that his resolve and ability to mobilise collective participation helped turn an apparently impossible task into reality.
“Lord Shri Ram taught us that the difficulties of the path cannot stop our journey. The ocean lay ahead, Lanka was far away, but the resolve was unwavering, so Ramji awakened the collective power of the people, made public participation his support, and turned an impossible-seeming goal into reality. This is the fundamental mantra of success,” Modi said.
He urged people not to depend on others when confronted with crises or difficult challenges, but to recognise their own strength and find solutions through their efforts.
“No matter how big the crisis may be, no matter how tough the challenge may be... we must not sit back relying on others,” he said.
“We must recognise our own strength. We must have faith in our resources. We must turn our resolve into power and find solutions through our own hard work,” he added.
Modi said a nation's self-respect was closely linked to its heritage and highlighted the government's efforts to preserve India's cultural identity and bring back artefacts taken abroad.
“A nation progresses when it possesses a sense of self-respect, and its heritage plays a major role in shaping that self-respect. That is why the country is now working to preserve its heritage and identity. For centuries, our heritage was looted and taken abroad. But today, we are bringing those treasures back,” he said.
The Prime Minister said more than 650 ancient idols had been brought back to India over the past 12 years and that the country was giving its cultural centres a new identity on the global stage.
Concluding his address, Modi said Vijayadashami reinforced the belief that truth and humanity would ultimately prevail, regardless of the strength of the challenges they faced.
“This festival instils in us the courage that no matter how mighty the enemy may be, when we stand with truth and humanity, victory is ultimately ours. This very spirit of Dussehra has always been the ideology of India,” he said.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)