Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address has igniteda new political storm, with opposition leaders accusing him of underminingthe country’s secular fabric and democratic values by leaning heavily onRashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideology.
The speech, delivered from the historic Red Fort, was criticized as anattempt to glorify Hindutva, rather than uniting the diverse nation on its79th Independence Day.
Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Jairam Ramesh sharplycondemned Modi’s rhetoric, calling it *“a blatant violation of the spiritof India’s constitutional secular democracy.”* He further alleged that Modiis politically weakened and now dependent on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat forhis political future.
*“Modi has become decisively weak. He is at the mercy of Mohan Bhagwat foran extension after September. Today, the Prime Minister looked exhausted —he will soon retire,”* Ramesh stated.
Rahul Gandhi dismissed Modi’s address as repetitive, claiming the PrimeMinister had “nothing new to say.” Meanwhile, Congress leader Deep SinghPuri accused Modi of insulting India’s martyrs, asserting, *“Mr. Modi, nomatter how hard you try, you cannot become Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji SubhashChandra Bose, or Bhagat Singh.”*
Congress Whip in the Lok Sabha, Manickam Tagore, also hit out at thegovernment, questioning the BJP’s attempt to link the Independence movementwith RSS. *“RSS never fought against the British,”* he said.
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S. Venu Gopal went further, alleging that every Independence Day, the BJPdistorts history and tries to portray traitors as heroes.
Analysts suggest that the sharp reactions to Modi’s address reflectdeepening political fault lines ahead of crucial months in Indian politics.The speculation triggered by Ramesh’s statement — that Modi may retireafter September and leave the political stage to RSS leadership — couldreshape the narrative as India approaches key electoral battles.
For critics, Modi’s speech was not just a celebration of independence but atroubling reminder of what they see as India’s democratic decline underHindutva ideology.