Independence Day 2024: 'We carry blood of people who uprooted colonial rule,’ says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hoisted the national flag at the Red Fort in Delhi on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day. PM Modi also addressed the nation, paying tributes to the freedom fighters who made sacrifices for India's freedom from the British.

"Today is the day to pay tributes to the uncountable 'Azaadi ke deewane' who made sacrifices for the nation. This country is indebted to them," PM Modi said.

In his 11th consecutive speech from the Red Fort on the occasion of Independence Day, PM Modi also expressed his sympathies to those affected by natural disasters in India.

"This year, and for the past few years, due to natural calamities, our concerns have been mounting. Several people have lost their family members and property in natural calamities; the nation too has suffered losses. Today, I express my sympathy to all of them, and I assure them that this nation stands with them in this hour of crisis," Modi said.

The Indian Prime Minister stated that the people of the country carry the blood of the 40 crore people who had uprooted colonial rule from India.

“40 crore Indians came together in the early part of the 20th century and threw out the most oppressive nation from their rule over us. They were 40 crore—today we are 140 crore. If 40 crore could achieve the daunting task back in the day, then today, 140 crore can ensure that the nation surges ahead,” he said.

PM Modi also said that there was an urgent need for a?Uniform Civil Code?(UCC) in the country arguing that replacing the existing?communal civil code?with a secular one is need of the hour to truly represent country's diverse society.?

"Supreme Court?has held discussions regarding Uniform Civil Code again and again, it has given orders several times.A large section of the country believes - and it is true, that the Civil Code that we are living with is actually a Communal Civil Code in a way...I would say that it is the need of the hour to that there be a?Secular Civil Code?in the country...only then would we be free of the discrimination on the basis of religion," Modi said.

In his speech, PM Modi also called for political parties to come forward to support one nation, one election.?

"Frequent elections are creating hurdles in the progress of the nation. It has become easy to link any scheme/initiative with elections. There are elections somewhere every three to six months. Every work is linked to elections. The nation has to come forward for one nation, one election," he said.?

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