In a fresh tirade against the culture of nepotism in Indian politics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speech called for inducting fresh blood into the country’s system of people with no familial background in politics.
PM Modi gave a call to bring one lakh youth into the political system, specifically those with no history of politics in their families. Addressing India’s 78th Independence Day speech, Modi said this initiative was aimed at fighting the evils of nepotism and casteism and inducting fresh blood into India’s polity.
Leader of Opposition and Congress member Rahul Gandhi, often a target of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s criticism against nepotism in India’s politics, was also in attendance at the event.
“I want one lakh such individuals, to begin with, whose family members have not been connected with Indian politics in generations. Be it Gram Panchayats, Zilla Parishads, Nagar Palikas, Legislative Assemblies or the Lok Sabha. We want such fresh blood in Indian politics so that we can get rid of casteism and nepotism in politics,” Modi exclaimed from the podium.
“It is not necessary that they be linked to any one political party. They can join whichever party they want and become a representative of the people,” Modi said.
“This will bring about a fresh change in thought and prosperity of India’s democracy,” Modi added.
This year’s celebration marks the 11th time PM Modi addressed the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day, making him the third Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi to achieve this milestone. The theme for this year’s Independence Day is ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047,’ aiming to drive the Government’s efforts to transform India into a developed nation by 2047.
PM Modi delivered his longest Independence Day speech on Thursday, lasting 98 minutes from the Red Fort. Modi’s speeches typically average 82 minutes, surpassing those of previous prime ministers. Jawaharlal Nehru and IK Gujral previously held the record for the longest speeches at 72 and 71 minutes, respectively. Notably, Nehru and Indira Gandhi also gave the shortest speeches on record, at 14 minutes in 1954 and 1966.
