Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: At the Ramnath Goenka Lecture organised by the Indian Express Group, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that certain political parties use the language of social justice only for self-interest, urging the nation to break free from a “colonial mindset”. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who attended the event, later praised key parts of the PM’s address.
PM Modi Targets Opposition, Calls For Development-Centric Politics
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said previous Congress governments elevated “urban Naxals” to top positions and continued to ignore national interests. He referred to the Congress as a “Muslim League–Maoist Congress” and accused it of weakening the country’s institutions.
Highlighting India’s economic strength, he said that despite global instability, the nation’s GDP continues to grow at around seven percent. PM Modi emphasised that India has become not only a major emerging market but also an emerging model for the world.
On elections, he added that governments should work emotionally for people’s welfare rather than with electoral motives. Citing the Bihar results, he said the mandate reflects the kind of governance people want.
Shashi Tharoor Praises PM’s Message On Colonial Mindset
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor complimented parts of the speech, especially the PM’s remarks about freeing India from the “200-year-old colonial mindset imposed by Macaulay”. Tharoor shared excerpts of the speech on social media, calling it a powerful blend of economic vision, cultural revival, and inspiration for hard work.
He said the PM’s call to restore India’s languages, culture, and knowledge systems over the next decade was noteworthy. Tharoor also remarked that he hoped the PM recognised how Ramnath Goenka—despite using English—had strengthened India’s nationalist voice.
