Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised the Election Commission, saying it has harnessed the power of technology to strengthen the power of the people and has also shown commitment to a fair voting process.
Modi praised the Election Commission in his monthly program Mann Ki Baat ahead of its foundation day on January 25, which is celebrated as National Voters’ Day. Apart from this, the opposition is also continuously criticizing it for being allegedly pro-BJP.
Modi said that the Election Commission has modernized and strengthened the election process from time to time.
“It has harnessed the power of technology to strengthen the power of the people,” he said. He called upon the people to participate in the voting process in large numbers to be a part of the democratic process and empower it.
Opposition parties have consistently raised questions on the reliability of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and Modi’s comments could be seen as an endorsement of EVMs.
The Prime Minister said that after India became independent, doubts were raised about its viability as a democracy, but the country proved them wrong. He said that after all India is the mother of democracy.
Modi said the event was organized on the third Sunday of this month, whereas it usually happens on the last Sunday, as the next Sunday is Republic Day.
The Prime Minister played brief audio clips of some members of the Constituent Assembly of India, including its President Rajendra Prasad, Bhim Rao Ambedkar and Syama Prasad Mukherjee, highlighting the values promoted by them.
He said Ambedkar had called for all to work together for the benefit of all, while Prasad had highlighted India’s commitment to humanitarian values. Modi said, “We should take inspiration from them and build an India that our Constitution makers would have been proud of.”
He said Republic Day would mark the 75th anniversary of the implementation of the Constitution.
Referring to the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, the Prime Minister said that people of different castes and regions have come together here. He said that there is no discrimination of any kind here. Modi said that widespread participation of youth is visible in this huge gathering of devotees. He said that this will strengthen the roots of civilization and ensure a golden future.
He said that the global popularity of this event is a matter of pride for every Indian.
