Top Quotes From PM Modi's Rajya Sabha Speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to the Congress party's criticisms regarding corruption, the economy, rights, and reservation by skillfully invoking quotes from former prime ministers. In a sharp retort during his address, Prime Minister Modi began by humorously acknowledging the entertainment provided by Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, stating that Kharge's remarks filled a void in the House.

"I must express my gratitude to Kharge Ji. Listening to his speech was quite enjoyable. The kind of lively discourse we often miss in the Lok Sabha was certainly provided by you," Prime Minister Modi remarked in response to the Motion of Thanks on the President's address.

Continuing his critique, Prime Minister Modi accused the Congress party of maintaining a legacy of British-inspired practices, including symbols of slavery, which persisted for decades. He argued that Indian traditions were unfairly disparaged by narratives propagated by the Congress party. PM Modi further highlighted instances of democracy being undermined through the misuse of emergency powers, asserting that the Congress party prioritized power over democratic principles by suppressing duly elected governments.

Additionally, Prime Minister Modi challenged the Congress party's advocacy for a nationwide caste-based census and their proposal to abolish the 50% reservation cap by citing a letter from former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to the chief ministers.

Here are the top quotes from PM Modi's Rajya Sabha speech:

• "We kept on listening to each of your words with patience, but you have come today with the intent to not listen to us. However, you cannot muzzle my voice. The people of the country have given strength to this voice."
• "A challenge has come from West Bengal that the Congress would not be able to cross 40 seat-mark (in 2024 Lok Sabha elections). I pray that they are able to save 40 (seats). This party (Congress) has an outdated thought process as well. Now, they have also outsourced their work," PM Modi said, referring to a recent remark by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, a key INDIA bloc leader.
• "If you (Congress) were not inspired by the British, then why did everyone have to wait for Modi to change Rajpath to Kartavya Path. If you were not inspired by the British, then why no war memorial was built for our soldiers who kept sacrificing their lives for the country."
• "The Congress gave such narratives that those following Indian traditions were looked down upon."
• "The Congress strangled democracy for power and dismissed democratically elected governments. The Congress has been against Dalits, backwards, tribals and had it not been for Babasaheb Ambedkar, they would not have got any reservation," he said.
• "The Congress that didn't give reservations to OBC, one who never gave reservations to the poor from general category, the one who didn't consider Babasaheb for Bharat Ratna and instead kept on giving Bharat Ratna to their family members, they are giving us lessons on social justice today."
• "Look at the 10-year history of Congress, (India) was among the fragile five economies. However, look at our 10 years, we are among the top five economies. We brought the country out of this after a lot of hard work."
• "Why was the country and the world upset with their (Congress') 10 years' rule? Why was the nation so angry? It didn't happen because of us; it's a result of their own deeds. We don't call out bad things to anyone."
• "I was born in independent India and my dreams are independent...Congress said we sold PSUs and destroyed them. I want to ask them who destroyed BSNL and MTNL? Recall the state of HAL under Congress. They destroyed HAL and Air India. Congress party and UPA cannot run away from their failure."
• "Today, the BSNL that you destroyed is moving towards Made in India 4G and 5G. HAL is showing record revenue generation and it has become Asia's largest helicopter manufacturing factory. We have turned around the story. Today LIC's shares are breaking records..."