Obstacles Put In Country's Development, Sometimes In The Name Of Freedom Of Expression: PM Modi In Constitution Day Address

Speaking at the Constitution Day programme at Vigyan Bhawan organised by the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi today stressed that both, the government and the judiciary, are born out of the womb of the Constitution and hence, both are twins.

"These two have come into existence only because of the constitution. Therefore, from a broader perspective, despite being different, they two complement each other," PM Modi said.

Chief Justice of India Shri Justice NV Ramana, Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijuju, Senior Supreme Court and High Court Justices, Attorney General of India Shri K K Venugopal and President of Supreme Court Bar Association Shri Vikas Singh were among those present on the occasion.

The Prime Minister emphasised that our constitution-makers had given us the constitution cherishing the great tradition of India of thousands of years and in the light of the dreams of the people who lived and died for freedom.

PM termed it as 'unfortunate' that obstacles are created in the development of the nation, sometimes in the name of freedom of expression and sometimes through other means. 

The Prime Minister noted that India is the only country in the process of achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement ahead of time. And yet, in the name of environment, he added, various pressures are created on India.

Observing that all this is the result of a colonial mentality, he said:

"Unfortunately, due to such a mentality, obstacles are put in the development of our own country. Sometimes in the name of freedom of expression and sometimes with the help of something else...this colonial mindset is a big obstacle in further strengthening the determination that was created in the freedom movement. We have to remove it. And for this, our biggest strength, our biggest inspiration, is our Constitution."

He also said that today, no nation directly exists as a colony to any other nation, however, he added that it doesn't mean that the colonial mindset has ended.

"This mindset is giving rise to many distortions. We can see a clear example of this in the hurdles cropping up in the development journey of developing nations," he noted further.

However, he did add that the Constitution is our greatest strength to remove 'obstacles' being created by the 'colonial mindset'.

He also underlined the importance of the concept of separation of power and said that, in the Amrit Kaal, there is a need to show collective resolve within the spirit of the Constitution as the common man deserves more than what he has currently.

On the issue of Separation Of Power, he said that that we have to pave the path of collective responsibility, create a roadmap, determine goals and take the country to its destination on the strong foundation of separation of power.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said in the morning he was amidst the colleagues from the legislature and the executive (referring to his address at Constitution Day programme in Central Hall of Parliament) and now he was among all the learned members of the judiciary.

"We all may have different roles, different responsibilities, different ways of working, but the source of our faith, inspiration and energy is the same – our Constitution", the Prime Minister emphasized.

He also noted that when compared to other countries, the nations that became independent around the same time as India are way ahead of us today and this meant, PM said, a lot of things still need to be done and we have to reach the goal together.