The Prime Minister delivered the address on Saturday at the Parade Ground near the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, marking the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He stated that the current political climate is defined by frustration and despair among opposition forces, which he described as conspiracies aimed at dividing the nation and tearing apart the dignity of the Constitution.
“It is our misfortune that at present, the Opposition has abandoned its duty and, instead of being the opposition, has turned into a party of obstruction,” Modi said. “In their frustration and despair, these people are standing as obstacles in the way of the country’s development. This is not opposition. This is obstruction. And they have made this a part of their politics.”
Modi emphasized that the system of ruling and opposition was established by founding fathers, including Patel and Babasaheb Ambedkar, specifically to allow for the challenging of government policies. However, he alleged that current opposition actors are instead engaged in secret meetings overseas with anti-India forces. He urged the public to recognize these patterns and unite to confront them, noting that social media is being utilized as a weapon to tarnish India’s image.
The Prime Minister also addressed the threat of “Dimagi Naxals” (ideological Naxals), stating that while Naxalism has been largely eliminated from remote areas, the ideological threat remains. He called for the nation to remain alert against these groups, which he said continue to loom over the country.
Defending his government’s track record, Modi cited a World Bank report released recently, which indicated that 500 million Indians defeated poverty in the ten to twelve years prior to 2024. He contrasted this achievement with the legacy of previous parties, stating, “Those who once raised the slogan of ‘Garibi Hatao’ grew wealthier themselves.”
In tribute to Sardar Patel, Modi highlighted the leader’s role in uniting more than 550 princely states after independence, binding the nation through iron resolve and emotional unity. He noted that Independence Day, Republic Day, and Unity Day are now celebrated as national festivals. Modi also referenced the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple in Gujarat as a symbol of cultural resurgence and self-respect that defies historical tyrants.
