Wk. 13 Narendra Modi, Independence Day Speech (2014)

Question 1

Narendra Modi, Independence Day Speech (2014)

Answer 1

Narendra Modi, Independence Day Speech (2014) – Narendra Modi was elected Prime Minister of India in May 2014. He led the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), or Hindu Nationalist Party, which took power from the Congress Party. He was reelected in 2019, making him the first non-Congress Party member to retain the office of Prime Minister. This excerpt is an introduction to India’s economy.

What nationalist elements do you see in the speech?

• Uses ‘nationalist’ keywords and phrases such as:
  
  • “mother India”
  • “martyrs”
  • “laid their lives for the country’s independence.”
  • “foundation of ancient cultural heritage”
  • “We walk together, we move together, we think together, we resolve together and together we take this country forward.”
  • “but an organic unity, an organic entity, a harmonious whole – with one aim, one mind, one direction, one energy”
  • “keeping the Tricolour [India’s flag] as witness”
  • “Whether it should not be the motto of one and a quarter billion countrymen that every step in life should be in the country’s interests?”
  • “We have to rise above the feelings of “why should I bother?” and “what does it mean for me?” and instead we have to think that “I am for nation’s interest and in this field, I am going to lead.”” – reminicent of JFK, “Ask not what your country can do for you…“
• There is also a push for a stronger India through the “youth” and “manufacturing sector” to drive a new Identity of a “Digital India”
  
  • “Come, make in India”
  • “Made in India. This should be our dream.”
  • “I would like to pose a question to my youngsters as to why despite them, we are forced to import even the smallest of things? My country’s youth can resolve it”
  • “the youth of India has completely transformed the identity of India in the world.”
  • “When I talk of “Digital India,” I don’t speak of the elite, it is for the poor people. You can imagine what a quality education the children in villages will get, if all the villages of India are connected with broadband connectivity and if we are able to give long distance education to the schools in every remote corner of the villages. If we create a network of telemedicine in the places where there is a shortage of doctors, we can have a clear guideline of the way in which health facilities have to be provided to the poor people living in those areas.”
  • Burn down the old to create the new,“t it would be better to construct a new house altogether and therefore within a short period, we will replace the planning commission with a new institution having a new design and structure, a new body, a new soul, a new thinking, a new direction, a new faith towards forging a new direction to lead the country based on creative thinking, public-private”

What elements of Hindu nationalism specifically?

• Mentions the “Vedic” period, which refers to the holy writings of Hinduism.

Why might many Indians be excited to have Modi as Prime Minister?

• People want change, togetherness, a clean governement led by an outsider (one of the people)

Why might others have been nervous?

• Some people don’t like big change.
• “A harmonious whole” could seem like centralizing power into his hands”
• “Non-Hindus might feel like they’re being exclude”

POWERPOINT:

India and the Congress Party

• Congress has dominated Indian politics since Independence
  
  • Jawaharlal Nehru (Prime Minister 1947-1964)
  • Indira Gandhi, his daughter (PM 1966-1977, 1980-1984)
  • Rajiv Gandhi, her son (PM 1984-1989)
  • Manmohan Singh (PM 2004-2014)
• Why would they be so popular?
  
  • They’re the ones who led the independence movement
• During this period there were some spectacular corruption scandals
  
  • They’re basically guaranteed to get reelected, so there are no consequences

Modi and the BJP

• Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
  
  • “Indian People’s Party”
  • “Hindu Nationalist Party”
• Main rival to Congress since 1980
• Narendra Modi, current PM, leads the BJP

Modi, Independence Day Speech (2014)

• What is he saying about India’s “national character?”
  
  • It’s working together for the good of the nation
    
    • Not just thinking about yourself
    • Sacrifice for the nation/others
  • Where does this national character or identity come from?
    
    • Created by the people, not by the government or the political elites
      
      • Populism: siding with the common people vs. the elite
    • Based on “ancient cultural heritage”
      
      • Esp. the Vedic period (the Vedas are Hindu sacred writings)
• How does Modi present himself in this speech?
  
  • He’s an outsider (he’s on the people’s side and not a normal politician)
  • Versus the government agencies and the political, who are divided
    
    • They care more about their turf than about the people
  • His plan is to make the government more unified and cohesive whole
• Why would this be popular?
  
  • The idea of unity and togetherness are attractive (he has a plan)
    
    • He’s proposing exciting changes
  • Modi is on the side of the people, he’s an outsider
  • Esp. in light of Congress corruption
• Why might this be concerning?
  
  • Some people might not like the idea of major change
  • “A harmonious whole” could seem like centralizing power into his hands
  • Non-Hindus might feel like they’re being excluded
• Modi’s economic plans
• How has the world changed?
  
  • Globalization has intensified again since the end of Cold War
• His solution
  
  • Strengthen and develop manufacturing (to industrialize)
    
    • Encourage companies to relocate their manufacturing to India
    • Pushing Indian young people to get into digital technology
  • Improve education and schools for a more skilled workforce
  • Scrap the Planning Commission (socialist economic planning)
    
    • Privatization and economic liberalization

Similarities to other post-colonial nations

• Several things about India’s post-colonial history are typical
  
  • The party/group/person who led independence struggle dominates politics
  • Often that party/group/person becomes corrupt in power
    
    • Probably because there is no real risk of losing power (no consequences)
  • Challengers often emphasize a populist or nationalist message
    
    • Modi’s “insiders” vs. “outsiders” is powerful, especially if there’s corruption