Jairam Ramesh Criticizes PM’s Independence Day Speech, Calls It Lacking in Substance
New Delhi, August 15, 2025 – Senior Congress leader and party communications chief Jairam Ramesh has sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address, accusing him of delivering “bland rhetoric” instead of offering a genuine vision for the nation’s future.
In a statement released shortly after the speech, Ramesh claimed that the Prime Minister failed to provide credible solutions to pressing issues such as farmers’ demands for a minimum support price (MSP) set at 50% above the comprehensive cost of cultivation or a nationwide farm loan waiver. He also described the government’s job creation promises as “empty rituals” lacking any actionable roadmap.
Ramesh took aim at the Prime Minister’s emphasis on unity, inclusion, and democracy, arguing that these words were contradicted by his government’s actions. He accused the Modi administration of undermining Constitutional bodies, particularly the Election Commission, and avoiding accountability on questions raised by the Opposition about the integrity of the electoral process.
Highlighting the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in Bihar, Ramesh alleged that the exercise has resulted in the disenfranchisement of lakhs of voters. He further charged that the Prime Minister’s claims of empowering states were undermined by the Centre’s alleged erosion of federalism and its moves to weaken or dislodge Opposition-led governments.
“Independence Day should be a time for vision, honesty, and inspiration,” Ramesh said. “Instead, what we heard today was a speech without substance or sincerity.”
The remarks come amid heightened political tensions, with the Opposition preparing to challenge the government on a range of issues in the upcoming parliamentary session.
