Independence Day 2020: Opposition questions PM Modi over "Atmanirbhar Bharat" call

Opposition parties on Saturday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his call for 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and said that at a time when government was privatising national assets, a self-reliant India was mere "rhetoric".

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said that it was important to question government on wher it believes in mandate of people and if re is freedom to speak freely in country.

"Does our government believe in democracy? Does our government believe in public opinion? Do we have freedom to speak, think, travel, to wear what we like, to earn our livelihood or has that been curbed," Surjewala said.

He said that foundation of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) was laid by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and or freedom fighters.

"But a government which is selling public sector undertakings, handing over railways and airports to private players and attacking everything from LIC to FCI, will that government be able to keep freedom of this country safe? It is duty of government and every citizen to keep freedom of country safe," he added.

Left parties alleged that PM's speech was full of rhetoric and said that his New India was subservient to corporates and t self reliant.

Urging people to unite against government's move to privatise India's assets, Left parties said that only a people's movement can fight present regime.

" New India that PM spoke about in his speech at Red Fort is a negation of that India which was established by our Constitution. This India is t self reliant but subservient to foreign corporates.

"A people's movement is only way to reverse multi pronged attacks on our Constitution by this government," said CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury at a webinar organised by party.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed nation on occasion of India's 74th Independence Day from ramparts of Red Fort, and asked citizens to prepare mselves for a self-reliant India.

D Raja, general secretary of CPI, alleged that unlike former PMs who are remembered for ir development ndas, Modi will be remembered as prime minister who served purpose of corporates.

"His speech today was complete rhetoric. During his speech he repeatedly said Aatmanirbhar Bharat which is an irony given fact that our entire ecomy has been handed over to private players. Be it defence sector, railways, atomic energy or even AI and more are being given for privatisation," he said.

Talking to reporters after Modi's address, Congress' chief spokesperson Surjewala also said that all Indians should ask government this Independence Day what it was doing to protect country and push China back.

In his speech, prime minister said India's soldiers had given a fitting reply to those who had challenged country's sovereignty, from "LoC to LAC". Modi, who did t name China, added that whole country is united in protecting sovereignty of nation.

"Each and every Congress worker and all 130 crore Indians are proud of our armed forces and have full faith in m. We salute armed forces for giving China an apt reply every time re has been an attack. But what about those who are sitting in power? Why are y scared of mentioning China's name," Surjewala asked.

"At a time when China has entered Indian territory, every Indian needs to ask government what it is doing to push China back and protect country. On this Independence Day y should ask this. That is true sense of democracy," Congress leader added.

Im Credits: PTI