Red Fort or campaign stage? Promises then, rhetoric now: Modi’s Independence Day echo

By Sunil Kumar 

Prime Minister Modi’s Independence Day address from the Red Fort once again evoked memories of the 2014 election rallies. I wish to make a few comments on his speech—drawn from his own words and the realities we see around us.

The Prime Minister said: “The wonders of the space sector are visible to every citizen. More than 300 startups are working exclusively in this sector, where thousands of young people are engaged with full capacity.”

Yes, Mr. Modi, the space sector’s achievements are indeed being broadcast everywhere, and the media leaves no stone unturned in making us feel proud. But is it not ironic that while we celebrate planting the flag on the moon and Mars, millions die without treatment on Earth? In government hospitals, three patients lie on a single bed. Children study in dilapidated schools, and some even lose their lives there. On the very day you were addressing the nation from the Red Fort, a girl in Udaipur’s Kotda region was killed when the balcony of an under-construction PM-SHRI school collapsed. In Bundi, five students were injured during Independence Day celebrations when a false ceiling fell. Even in Delhi, clean drinking water remains scarce. In villages, women still walk miles for water.

The dream of self-reliance in space may be golden, but on the ground the infrastructure for self-reliant citizens is crumbling. Real development is not measured by flags on the moon, but by whether common people have access to health, education, and a dignified life. Otherwise, restoring human dignity on Earth must come before waving the tricolor on the moon. While we weave dreams of Mars, ordinary citizens are sinking deeper into despair.

If this is development, then at least tell the poor: don’t go to hospitals or schools—just look at the moon. Earth is no longer for people, but for grand dreams and TV cameras.

You gave the slogan “Vocal for Local” and said it should be every citizen’s mantra. Yet from your car to your watch, glasses, and pen—everything is imported. Reports even claim you prefer imported mushrooms for your meals.

You said: “When the nation’s strength increases, citizens benefit. In 75 years of independence, we have ended the Penal Code and brought in the Code of Justice.”

But you are also replacing 29 central labor laws with four labor codes that will encourage exploitation of workers. You brought three farm laws that triggered the longest farmers’ protest in the world and claimed over 700 lives. You are pushing an electricity bill to benefit corporations and installing smart meters opposed by people across the country. These so-called “reforms” are not for the public but to fill the coffers of your industrialist friends. During the pandemic, 46 million Indians slipped into poverty, even as the number of billionaires rose by 40 percent. Adani’s wealth rose by $27.4 billion and Ambani’s by $2.61 billion in just months.

You said: “We had many laws under which people were jailed even for small things. They must be scrapped.”

But will this help those imprisoned in cases like Bhima-Koregaon, who have been held without trial for over seven years and denied bail even when granted? Or will it only benefit rapists like Ram Rahim and fraudsters like Sahara Shri?

You said: “This Diwali, I will give you double Diwali. We have made great reforms in GST, reducing the tax burden across the country.”

In reality, GST only added to inflation. You had promised one tax in place of 15, but under your rule GST was piled on top of the earlier tax base. This filled corporate treasuries while tightening control over states.

You said: “India is moving fast towards becoming the third largest economy. We are knocking at the door.”

Delhi’s per capita income may be ₹4.61 lakh, but women still work 8–10 hours daily for just ₹6,000–7,000 a month. In July 2025, two women died in a factory fire in Delhi’s Rithala while working for such meager wages. Even if India climbs from fourth to third or first in the global economy, will the lives of these families really change?

You announced a new ₹1 lakh crore employment scheme under which first-time private sector employees would receive ₹15,000 from the government. But, Prime Minister, this will not transform their lives. The legal minimum wage in Delhi is ₹18,400–22,400, yet most workers get only ₹8,000–12,000. That’s an annual theft of ₹1–1.5 lakh per worker. And instead of ensuring fair wages, you are preparing to legalize 12-hour workdays. This only reminds us of your 2014 promise of creating 20 million jobs a year. Meanwhile, unemployment-related suicides are rising sharply—from 2,741 in 2018 to 11,724 in 2021 after the pandemic.

You said: “India’s daughters are shining in startups, space, sports, and the armed forces. Everyone acknowledges their strength.”

But the world also saw how women wrestlers were dragged away by Delhi Police when they protested sexual harassment, even on the day of the new Parliament’s inauguration. You remained silent. According to ADR, 151 sitting MPs and MLAs face charges of crimes against women—including five MPs from your party. NCRB’s 2022 data shows over 445,000 crimes against women, including 31,516 rapes. How different is this from your 2014 slogan: “Enough of violence against women—this time, Modi government”?

You spoke of farmers, but your policies triggered the historic farmers’ protest that saw over 700 deaths. Even today, their demand for fair crop prices remains unmet. They face police lathis for demanding fertilizers. This only reminds us of your 2014 slogans: “The farmer is the pride of the nation” and “More production, more income.” Yet in Yavatmal, where you once held “Chai Pe Charcha” with farmers, suicides have doubled.

You said: “I did not have to read books to understand poverty. I have lived it. That is why I strive to ensure government touches citizens’ lives.”

But if you really knew poverty, why impose penalties for low bank balances? Between 2014–15 and 2023–24, public banks collected ₹15,519 crore from the poor through such penalties. Meanwhile, loans worth ₹16.35 lakh crore were written off for the rich. This “understanding of poverty” seems more like taking lives from the poor. No wonder it recalls your 2014 slogan: “Acche Din Aane Wale Hain.”

You said: “In the last 10 years, 25 crore people have come out of poverty and a new middle class has emerged.”

But your own finance minister cites 55 crore Jan Dhan accounts—meant for the poor—out of 140 crore Indians. If nearly half the adult population needs such accounts and 800 million people need free ration under PMGKAY, does that reflect poverty falling or rising? Are you calling this the new middle class?

You also said: “A century ago, the RSS was founded. Its identity is service, discipline, and dedication. It is the world’s largest NGO.”

But Mr. Prime Minister, as you celebrate 79 years of India’s independence, why is there no trace of RSS in the freedom struggle? How can we take pride in this?

You said: “There was a time when Naxalism had roots in over 125 districts. Our tribal regions and youth were trapped.”

Yes, Naxalism has weakened—but now forests in Gadchiroli are being cleared for mining companies, as Santoshi Markam’s reports show. In Odisha too, mountains are being handed over to Vedanta and Adani-linked firms, with tribals facing repression when they resist. Go to these areas, and you’ll see what rights tribals have truly received. It only recalls your 2014 slogan: “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.”

Mr. Prime Minister, your Red Fort speech revives the memory of your 2014 promises and slogans. The only difference is that then you were on the campaign trail; today you stand on the ramparts of the Red Fort. Do not sell the dream of “Achhe Din” again—people have not only stopped believing it, they have forgotten it. And since you reminded us of the past, we too felt compelled to remind you of your old promises.

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The author is a social activist and freelance journalist