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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country must become a developed nation in a speech Monday marking the 75th anniversary of India’s independence. But the Modi administration has overseen massive crackdowns on civil liberties, including discrimination against India’s Muslim minority, raising fears for the future of the world’s largest democracy.
Speaking from the 17th century Red Fort, the former residence of Mughal emperors in Delhi, Prime Minister Modi said India must turn into a developed nation before it marks a centenary of independence from colonial Britain.
“We must turn India into a developed country in the next 25 years, in our lifetime,” said the 71-year-old Modi, wearing a turban in the colours of the Indian flag, in his 75-minute-speech in Hindi.
“It’s a big resolution, and we should work towards it with all our might.”
Modi said millions of people across the country were commemorating the 75th anniversary of independence by hoisting national flags at their homes and businesses for three days as part of a government campaign “of awakening the spirit of patriotism in every heart.”
Critics of his Hindu nationalist government however accuse Modi of turning his back on the ideals of secularism, tolerance and respect for civil liberties advocated by the nation’s founding fathers and enshrined in the Indian constitution.
Since he came to power in 2014, Modi has overseen violent crackdowns against the opposition, widespread discrimination against India’s Muslim community and arrests of journalists and writers critical of his government’s track record.
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The main opposition Congress party on Monday accused the Modi government of leaving opposition parties out of celebrations.
“There were special functions in…
Source : france24
