NEW DELHI: In his first Independence Day address after his re-election for the third consecutive time this June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a secular civil code and one nation, one election, terming both these reforms as the call of the time.
Sporting a Rajasthani leheriya turban, Modi, delivering his 11th straight Independence Day address, also vowed to continue his war against corruption notwithstanding the personal price he has to pay for this.
“I want to create an atmosphere of feat for the corrupt. The glorification of the corrupt must end. My war against corruption will continue, even though I am aware of the personal price I have to pay for it but for me the country is greater than self,” he said.
The PM again sent out a message of solidarity with the Hindus and other religious minorities of Bangladesh even as he said India wished Bangladesh well for its development journey.
He however urged the Bangladesh Government to secure the Hindus and the minorities in the wake of August 6 change of dispensation there.
Speaking close on the heels of fresh allegations by US short seller Hindenburg Research against Indian market regulator chief and top industrialist Gautam Adani, Modi said the world should not fear India’s rise.
Taking a veiled jibe at the Congress-led Opposition for “being unable to digest India’s growth”, and warning against such “disruptive forces”, the PM said forces within and outside were ranged against India but India is adept at challenging the challenges.
“Let the world not be concerned about a rising India. I urge the world to try and understand our culture and not to consider us a danger. I urge the world not to associate with forces which compel and peace loving and a pro friendship nation to struggle more,” the PM said.
He said India’s progress is not and can never be a challenge to anyone in the world, and contrarily it will strengthen the world.
“We are a country of Buddha, war is not our path,” he assured the global forces hinting at the attempts by external forces to attempt halting India’s growth story.