Art 370, Triple Talaq, Ram Mandir: PM Modi's last address to the 17th Lok Sabha

“Reform, perform and transform…” Prime Minister Narendra Modi used these words for the 17th Lok Sabha to define his government's second term that he won in 2019. PM Modi thanked all the members of the parliament during his last address on the floor of the parliament before the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Recalling the COVID-19 pandemic times, the PM reached out to all the MPs thanking them for agreeing to go for a 30% salary cut. He also listed down the ‘achievements’ of his government, from the abrogation of Article 370 to criminalising ‘Triple Talaq’. "These five years were about reform, perform and transform in the country. Many reforms, that were game-changers, happened during this period. The country had been waiting for them long,” said PM Modi while calling the scrapping of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir historic and a fulfillment of a “long-standing dream of a unified constitution”.

Amongst all the other highlights, PM also mentioned the consecration of Ram Mandir that happened on January 22, this year, terming it as a realisation of ‘Samvedna' (empathy), 'Sankalp' (resolve), and 'Sahanubhuti' (compassion), coupled with the guiding principle of 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’. "The motion on Ram Mandir passed by the House will give coming generations the constitutional power to be proud of the values of the country," he said, referring to the resolution endorsed on Saturday by the house on the Ram mandir.

In his forty-three-minute-long speech, he also mentioned the success of the nation in hosting the G20 summit, for the first time in India’s history and even recalled how the new Parliament House was a realisation of a long-standing dream of the nation. "Everyone said we needed a new building. Everyone wanted it, but there was never a decision on it. We decided on it and owing to that we are sitting in the new Parliament today," said the Prime Minister.

During his speech, he also spoke about the Data Protection Bill, stringent laws to fight terror, removal of obsolete laws and the women's reservation bill and termed them as collective achievements of his government. He also highlighted the work his government has done for an equal society, adding that special focus was given to marginalised people including transgenders. “We have done what previous governments didn’t do. 17,000 transgenders have received their identity cards during our time. We gave Padma awards to transgenders.“ he added.

PM Modi also thanks Speaker Om Birla for conducting the house in a “balanced manner”. “You were ever-smiling. Your smile never faded. You guided this House in a balanced and impartial manner in several instances, for this, I appreciate you. There were moments of anger, allegations but you controlled the situation patiently, ran the House and guided us. I express my gratitude to you for this,” he said while lauding the speaker.