The India of Modi Independence Day Speech, Redefining the State, Nationalism, and Transformation

Introduction

Every year, the Prime Minister’s Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort serves not just as a ceremonial ritual but as a barometer of India’s political priorities and vision. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest address highlights the ongoing transformation of the Indian state, marking a significant shift in how governance, nationalism, and welfare are conceptualised and executed.

Hilal Ahmed’s analysis in The India of His I-Day Speech captures this evolving paradigm: a state redefining itself as a charitable facilitator, nationalism being positioned at the very centre of politics, and a continuing emphasis on transformation and reform as the guiding mantras of governance.

This article expands on those three pillars—state as a facilitator, nationalism as a central ideology, and transformation as a political strategy—to examine how Modi’s India is reshaping governance and political imagination.

The State as a Facilitator

One of the central themes in Modi’s speech, as the article points out, is the role of the state. Traditionally, India oscillated between two dominant models:

1. The Nehruvian welfare state—direct intervention in economic and social life, with planning at its core.

2. The post-1991 liberalised state—a belief in market-led growth with reduced government involvement.

Modi’s approach, however, blends these models. The state is not a controller but a facilitator, expanding the scope of markets while also directly shaping the capacity of citizens to engage with the economy.

1. Expanding the Market

The Modi government inherited a liberalised economy and pushed it further through structural reforms such as:

• Goods and Services Tax (GST): creating a unified national market.

• Digital India initiatives: reducing transaction costs, expanding digital penetration.

• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes: encouraging domestic manufacturing in critical sectors.

These reforms enhanced India’s integration into the global economy, but with a clear nationalist flavour of self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat).

2. Citizens as Stakeholders

Beyond markets, the state under Modi emphasises citizen participation in national life. Welfare is framed not as entitlement but as empowerment. Flagship schemes—such as PM Jan Dhan Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi—create a base for citizens, particularly the poor, to function as stakeholders in development.

This model is often described as a “charitable state”, where welfare is seen less as rights-based and more as benevolence of the state. Critics argue this creates dependency, but supporters say it strengthens state-citizen bonds in a pragmatic way.

Nationalism at the Centre

Another defining theme of the speech is nationalism as the ideological anchor of politics. Modi’s rhetoric consistently positions India as a nation undergoing civilisational renewal.

1. Economic Nationalism

• Success of Make in India and self-reliance campaigns showcase how economic policies are woven into the fabric of nationalism.

• Domestic production, innovation, and consumption are projected not merely as economic goals but as acts of national service.

2. Political Nationalism

• The BJP’s rise post-2014 was built on a narrative of cleansing India of corruption and inefficiency, embodied in schemes like Swachh Bharat and the drive against black money.

• Nationalist politics is also used to distinguish Modi’s leadership from past regimes, particularly by highlighting reforms such as the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir.

3. Cultural Nationalism

• Modi’s speeches often invoke civilisational pride—India as the “mother of democracy,” India’s role in the global order, and the celebration of ancient traditions alongside modern progress.

• Initiatives such as International Yoga Day and promotion of Indian heritage tie into this broader cultural nationalist framework.

In this model, nationalism functions not just as rhetoric but as a mobilising force—bringing together diverse citizens under a common political and cultural project.

Transformation as Political Strategy

The third major theme is transformation—a central motif of Modi’s governance model.

1. From Reform to Perform

Unlike past leaders who saw reforms as economic adjustments, Modi frames reforms as moral imperatives. His slogan “Reform, Perform, Transform” captures this vision.

• Institutional reforms: GST, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

• Administrative reforms: digitisation of governance, direct benefit transfers (DBT).

• Social reforms: banning triple talaq, Swachh Bharat mission.

Each of these reforms is projected as a moral cleansing of the system rather than a mere policy adjustment.

2. Transformation of the Nation-State

Transformation is not limited to policies but extends to the very idea of India as a nation.

• From a state battling colonial legacies to one that asserts itself confidently on the global stage.

• From a country seen as a “developing nation” to a global power shaping the 21st century.

3. Transformation of Political Discourse

Perhaps most significantly, Modi’s model has transformed political competition itself. Welfare politics is no longer exclusive to the Congress or socialist parties. The BJP has redefined welfare as a charitable-nationalist act, and opposition parties have been compelled to adopt similar strategies.

Welfarism as Charitable State

A striking observation in Ahmed’s analysis is the evolution of welfarism in India. Traditionally, welfare was framed as a right of citizens. Under Modi, it is increasingly projected as the state’s benevolence—a charitable distribution of benefits to deserving groups.

For instance:

• PM Vishwakarma Yojana supports artisans and traditional workers, combining economic aid with cultural preservation.

• Direct transfers in PM Kisan Yojana frame farmers not merely as beneficiaries but as partners in national growth.

This charitable framing has political dividends: it strengthens loyalty to the state and its leader while minimising the entitlement mindset.

The Uniqueness of Modi’s Political Project

The article rightly points out that Modi’s speeches go beyond policy announcements—they articulate a new political imagination.

1. Redefinition of State: From regulator or provider to facilitator and benefactor.

2. Centralisation of Nationalism: Uniting economic, political, and cultural policies under a nationalist umbrella.

3. Transformation as Destiny: Not just change but a moral and historical mission.

In doing so, Modi has made previously settled issues—like nationalism, the role of the state, and welfare—contested and central to political debate again.

Challenges and Critiques

While Modi’s model has been successful in mobilising support, it raises key challenges:

1. Dependence vs Empowerment: Does the charitable framing of welfare empower citizens or make them dependent on the state’s goodwill?

2. Exclusionary Nationalism: While nationalism unites, it can also marginalise minority voices or alternative political imaginations.

3. Centralisation of Power: The transformation project often sidelines institutions and decentralised governance, raising questions about democratic checks and balances.

4. Unresolved Issues: Citizenship laws, minority rights, federal tensions, and electoral reforms remain contentious despite transformational rhetoric.

Global Implications

India’s new political imagination also has international resonance:

• India projects itself as a civilisational state rather than merely a postcolonial democracy.

• The state’s facilitative role is visible in global diplomacy, where India seeks to mediate in crises while pursuing its own development interests.

• Nationalism is exported through campaigns like Vishwa Guru and India’s leadership in the Global South.

Conclusion

Modi’s Independence Day speech symbolises more than annual reflections; it signals a paradigm shift in Indian politics. By redefining the state as a facilitator and benefactor, placing nationalism at the core of governance, and framing transformation as both necessity and destiny, Modi has reshaped the very grammar of political discourse.

This transformation, however, comes with its own contradictions and debates, particularly around inclusivity, democracy, and long-term sustainability. The future of Indian politics will depend on how these debates unfold, and whether Modi’s model evolves into a broad-based national consensus or remains a contested political project.

Five Key Questions and Answers

Q1: What does Modi mean by the state as a facilitator?
A: In Modi’s vision, the state does not control the economy directly but facilitates market growth and citizen participation. It expands welfare access while positioning citizens as stakeholders rather than passive beneficiaries.

Q2: How has nationalism been redefined under Modi?
A: Nationalism is not limited to political independence or cultural pride. It now integrates economic policies (Make in India), social reforms (Swachh Bharat), and global diplomacy, making nationalism the central driver of all governance.

Q3: What is meant by the ‘charitable state’?
A: It refers to a model where welfare schemes are presented as the benevolence of the state rather than rights-based entitlements. This creates a bond of loyalty between citizens and the state but risks dependency.

Q4: What role does transformation play in Modi’s governance?
A: Transformation is both a policy strategy and a moral project. It involves economic reforms (GST, IBC), social reforms (triple talaq ban), and institutional changes, all framed as cleansing and modernising India.

Q5: What are the main criticisms of Modi’s political model?
A: Critics argue it risks centralisation of power, creates exclusionary nationalism, and portrays welfare as charity rather than a right. Unresolved issues like citizenship laws and minority rights remain challenges for inclusivity.