India’s federal structure is under unprecedented attack. DD and AIR refused to air the Independence Day speech by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, asking him to “reshape the content making it suitable to the solemnity of the occasion and sentiment of the people”. This is the same DD that in October 2014 had telecast live the address by RSS supremo Mohan Bhagwat on Vijaya Dashami at the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, citing it as “newsworthy”.

Who but Prime Minister Narendra Modi would best illustrate the strength of India’s democracy and its federal framework. Can one forget his jibes at the erstwhile UPA Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Centre’s policies? Rewind to 2013. During the 67th Independence Day speech in Bhuj, Gujarat Chief Minister Modi, in a point-by-point rebuttal of Singh’s speech at Red Fort, lashed out at the Congress, the Prime Minister’s “silence” and “uninspiring leadership” with regard to dealing with corruption, price rise and foreign policy. “The media says this is the PM’s last Independence Day speech and he says: ‘We have a long distance to cover.’ Kis rocket mein chad kar fasla tai karoge , Pradhan Mantri Ji (Which rocket do you intend to take to cover these miles)?” he taunted.

Modi also sneered at Singh for not taking a strong stance on Pakistan. “PM should have taken a tough stance against Pakistan...But that was not the case....At least the PM’s word should have strengthened the morale of the Armed Forces,” he had said. So, have the tables turned for Modi as well as India’s democratic tradition in 2017? Is he wary of criticism of his policies and politics? After all, the highlights of Sarkar’s speech were a similar criticism of the Centre’s policies, along with urging people to guard against the threat of divisiveness due to rising cow vigilantism, attacks on dalits and minorities. Doublespeak, Mr PM?

Aditi Nigam Senior Deputy Editor

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