PM MODI URGES POLITICAL PARTIES TO IMPLEMENT 33% WOMEN'S RESERVATION IN LOK SABHA AND ASSEMBLIES

"You may take the credit... but please grant our mothers and sisters their due rights," says Prime Minister Narendra Modi, appealing for cross-party unity on women's empowerment from the Red Fort.

NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the historic Red Fort on Saturday morning to lead the nation in celebrating its 80th Independence Day. Upon arrival, the Prime Minister was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The Defence Secretary introduced the General Officer Commanding (GoC), Delhi Area, Lieutenant General Rajesh Sethi, to the Prime Minister. Lt. Gen. Rajesh Sethi then conducted PM Modi to the Saluting Base, where the Prime Minister inspected the ceremonial Guard of Honour comprising personnel from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and Delhi Police.

Following the inspection, Prime Minister Modi ascended the ramparts of the Red Fort to hoist the National Flag. As the Tricolour unfurled, a 21-gun salute was fired by the gunners of the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial) using indigenous 105mm Light Field Guns, synchronized with an aerial flower shower by two Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters. In a landmark moment for India’s national celebrations, the National Song Vande Mataram was formally rendered during the Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort for the very first time. Commemorating 150 years of the iconic song, the rendition was played by the Army Band alongside the National Anthem immediately following the flag hoisting.

Commencing his 13th consecutive Independence Day address to the nation, Prime Minister Modi expressed solidarity with families affected by recent natural calamities: "In the last few days, some parts of the country have witnessed floods, which have affected many people. I assure the affected families that the whole country stands by them."

Highlighting national sentiment, PM Modi stated, "Today, every heart is beating with the rhythm of Vande Mataram. Aaj har ghar Tiranga hai, har mann Tiranga hai." (Today, every home has the Tricolour, every heart has the Tricolour).

Making an impassioned appeal for political consensus on women's representation in governance, Prime Minister Modi urged all political formations to facilitate the immediate implementation of legislative quotas: "Standing here today beneath the Tricolour on the ramparts of the Red Fort, I appeal to and urge all the political parties of the country: come, become champions of women's empowerment. Step forward to honour women and ensure that our mothers and sisters secure 33% representation in the Legislative Assemblies and the Lok Sabha as soon as possible. Let them contribute to shaping India's policies. This is the need of the hour, and I once again urge all political parties: come, join in honouring women by implementing women's reservation. You may take the credit, you may claim the accolades, but please grant our mothers and sisters their due rights."

Addressing internal security milestones, the Prime Minister emphasized the decisive defeat of armed extremism, noting that Naxal-Maoist violence is "breathing its last" and that the tricolour of development now flies in former conflict zones. He simultaneously cautioned the country to remain vigilant against "dimagi Naxals" (intellectual Naxals) who attempt to mislead the nation's youth.

Emphasizing economic self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) and manufacturing milestones over the past decade, PM Modi highlighted that defence production has quadrupled, Khadi production has grown fivefold, electronics manufacturing has increased sevenfold, mobile phone manufacturing has expanded 33-fold, and digital transactions have surged 100-fold.

Expanding on India's global stature, mindset shift, and long-term roadmap, PM Modi urged citizens to hold ambitious aspirations to achieve the vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047: "Today, India has a big dream to become a developed nation by 2047. When the world's most populous country takes the resolution to become a developed nation, it becomes an introduction of our courage, and the world is compelled to look at us with a different perspective. Small dreams will no longer suffice. We must dream big, because big dreams expand our thinking, broadening the horizons of our thoughts." Reflecting the twin themes of '150 Years of Vande Mataram' and 'Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047', the Prime Minister asserted that youth energy, gender-inclusive governance, and self-reliance will drive India's global rise.