From terrorism to GST to Kashmir: PM Modi's strongest message in shortest speech

Addressing the nation from the iconic and historic citadel, Red Fort, on Tuesday, in a 57 minute-long speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about various issues, ranging from GST to terrorism. Urging his countrymen to win the hearts of Kashmiris to find a solution to the problems in the conflict-hit state, Modi underlined that his government will, however, not go soft on terrorism.

"Neither bullets nor abuse, the Kashmir problem can be only be solved by embracing the people of the conflict-hit state," The PM said in his 71st Independence Day address.

In an effort to reach out to the people of the troubled state, Modi said a handful of separatists in Kashmir were trying to create a rift and that the government was committed to restore the Valley to its past glory and make it a paradise again.

The state has been on the boil over the last one year, ever since local Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) member Burhan Wani was killed on July 8, 2016.

"We have been asking the extremists to join the mainstream. Democracy provides equal opportunity and rights for all," the PM said from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

Mentioning the ongoing standoff with China and frequent skirmishes on the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan, Modi said India was capable of combating any security challenges, be it the seas or the borders.

He also referred to last year's surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the LoC, and without naming China or Pakistan, said the world has realised the strength of India's security forces.

The PM also also greeted people on the occasion of Janmashtami, while condemning violence in the name of religion, stating that casteism and communalism were a poison for the country.

He said India's security was his topmost priority and that the country had the global community's support to ensure this. With political clamour over communalism raging, the Modi said it was time to replace the 1942 'Bharat Chhodo' slogan with 'Bharat Jodo'.

"This is the land of Buddha and Gandhi. We can only move forward by taking everyone along. This is part of our country's tradition and culture," he said.

The Prime Minister also focussed on economic reforms brought in by his government, including demonetisation, implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and a crackdown on black money. "Those who have looted the nation and the poor are not able to sleep peacefully today," he said.

The PM further said that demonetization in November last year helped him bring over Rs 3 lakh crore unaccounted wealth into the banking system. Over Rs 1.75 lakh crore has been deposited in banks since the note ban, and more than 18 lakh people with disproportionate income are under government scrutiny, Modi said. Referring to recent natural calamities in various parts of the country and the death of several children at a state-run hospital in Uttar Pradesh, he said sympathies of the entire nation were with the affected families.

The PM's speech, which had references to Hindu scriptures, also stressed that government schemes were gaining momentum. Asking the countrymen to be a driving force for change, he said there was a need to shed the 'chalta hai' (everything goes) attitude and replace it with a more proactive approach of 'badal sakta hai' (can be changed).

Underlining his vision for 2022, when the country will celebrate 75 years of Independence, he said in "new India", people's voice will be supreme and the poor would have houses and access to water and electricity. Farmers would be free from worry and would earn twice of what they earn today, and youths and women will get ample opportunities to fulfill their dreams, the PM said.

"Tantra se lok nahin, lok se tantra chalega (people would be the driving force behind the establishment rather than the other way around), and democracy will not been confined to the ballots," the Prime Minister said.