Shafaqna India: On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a fierce critique of the economic policies of past Congress governments, blaming them for India’s slow growth rate, which was once referred to as the “Hindu rate of growth.” In a reply to the Rajya Sabha debate on the motion of thanks to the President’s Address, the PM stated that the Congress’s policies not only hindered the nation’s economic progress but also unfairly linked the image of Hindus to stagnation.
“The term ‘Hindu growth rate’ emerged due to Congress’s misguided policies, which damaged India’s economy,” Modi said. He added that the Congress regime’s emphasis on the licence-permit raj, which he described as a “crippling” system, was a major barrier to India’s entrepreneurial spirit. “Bribery flourished, and the licence-permit raj suffocated business growth,” he remarked.
Highlighting the contrast between the Congress model and the BJP-led NDA government’s approach, Modi emphasized the BJP’s commitment to dismantling outdated systems, fostering business opportunities, and encouraging innovation. He criticized Congress for a governance model centered on “lies, cheating, appeasement, and nepotism,” while asserting that the BJP’s vision resonated with the people, enabling the party to secure three consecutive victories.
Recalling historical events, Modi also brought up instances of authoritarianism during Congress rule, citing the imprisonment of lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri and actor Balraj Sahni for participating in anti-government protests. He also pointed out the censorship of Dev Anand’s films and Kishore Kumar’s songs during the Emergency, underscoring how the spirit of the Constitution was undermined during that period.
