Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address on 15th August — the last Independence Day speech before the general elections next year, will be scrutinised with a fine tooth comb. Modi, a powerful orator, is expected to outline India’s rise on the world stage, besides focusing on the developments at home which include infrastructure and manufacturing boost. The Prime Minister may also touch upon the G20 highlights under India’s presidency while once again laying the thrust on the country’s democratic framework.

This year’s celebrations will be high pitched as it will culminate the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations, which were launched by Modi from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on March 12, 2021, an official statement said.

The Prime Minister will attempt to inject renewed vigour at a time when the focus is on ensuring that the country attains the status of “developed nation’ by 2047, sources said.

Modi, at different fora, has repeatedly highlighted that India is a vibrant democracy. “India is the mother of democracy,” is the line that has been promoted as part of the G20 deliberations.

Modi in his last year’s Independence Day address had underlined the need to maintain respect for women and boost “Nari Shakti” or woman power. He said that women’s participation and their role will form the pillar of India’s growth.

“Our Nari Shakti is being represented in all sectors- in police, villages etc. The more opportunities we give to our daughters, the more they will take us forward,” he said, adding that it is important to ensure that nothing lowers the dignity of women.

He had also voiced five pranas and pledges including de-colonising the mind to foster the rise of India as a developed nation by 2047–a template that had percolated in his subsequent speeches that included re-naming Raj Path to Kartavya Path and installation of the bust of Subhash Chandra Bose at India Gate in the capital.

The recent incidents in Manipur and Nuh on the outskirts of Gurugram have, however, become a cause for concern.

Last week, the Centre announced three new bills in a bid to overhaul existing criminal laws while upholding the sovereignty or unity and integrity of India. The three bills are aimed at repealing the sedition law and replacing the archaic Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860; the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. Under the new structure, the Centre aims to introduce maximum punishment for crimes such as mob lynching and rape of minors.

“When a group of five or more persons acting in concert commits murder on the ground of race, caste or community, sex, place of birth, language, personal belief or any other ground each member of such group shall be punished with death or with imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than seven years, and shall also be liable to fine,” it highlights.

Sources said that it is hard to predict what the Prime Minister may say, but Modi might throw more light on the new legal structure that is being proposed, especially at a time when the world focus has shifted to these incidents.

“The proposal to go in for a complete overhaul of the criminal laws is timely and it shows that the Centre is keen to take action,” one of them said.

In May, Modi delivered his 100th Mann ki Baat episode.

In his speeches, Modi with a unique communication style has been targeting the grassroots.

“The Prime Minister is known to pick up issues that are key for nation building. In his speeches, he speaks the language that connects with the masses,” Sajjan Kuma, political analyst and author told India Narrative.

Meanwhile Modi changed his social media accounts DP to the Tricolor.  He also urged every citizen to do the same in the spirit of the #HarGharTiranga.

The nation is celebrating Har Ghar Tiranga movement — between 13-15 August.

Swapnodeep Kundu, an 18-year-old first-year student, lost his life in a horrifying manner, raising alarming questions about the Jadhavpur University’s responsibility, student safety, and the glaring lack of effective action by the authorities.

Swapnodeep allegedly fell from the second-floor balcony of the Jadavpur University Main Hostel on the night of August 9. He soon passed away succumbing to his injuries. His family alleges that he was a victim of ragging, a claim supported by heart-wrenching stories shared by students who have faced similar ordeals. Sources said that Swapnodeep was asked to strip naked and walk on the terrace by seniors and while doing so he jumped off the building.

In a conversation on Wednesday night, Swapnodeep reached out to his mother, sharing his distress and fear. He said he wasn’t feeling well and asked her to come quickly, hinting at something serious. Sadly, their talk was cut short, and subsequent calls went unanswered.

This incident has shown that bullying, also known as “ragging,” is still a big issue at the university. Reports reveal that students are routinely subjected to physical and mental abuse under the guise of introduction. Many students have shared their stories about being bullied, and it’s clear that something needs to change.

One student, Subhajit Ghosh, talked about how he was forced to do humiliating things and was even kicked out of his room by other students. He tried to complain to the university, but they didn’t do much to help him. He felt very unsafe and scared. Students faced forceful sleep deprivation, demeaning tasks, physical assaults, and even asked to strip.

The final-year postgraduate student recalls his traumatic experiences, “I was subjected to humiliation and abuse from the moment I stepped into my hostel room. Despite my complaints, the authorities shifted me to a guest room instead of holding the perpetrators accountable. This lack of action fueled my torment,” He further added, “I realized, I will never be safe in this place no matter who led the ragging menace,” Ghosh said.

Shockingly, these reprehensible acts have been carried out with the knowledge of university authorities. The very individuals entrusted with students’ well-being have been accused of turning a blind eye, failing to take effective action to protect the vulnerable.

The distressing stories highlight a pattern of abuse primarily targeting economically underprivileged students, who often have no choice but to endure the torment due to limited options for affordable accommodations.

The Kolkata Police have initiated a murder investigation based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s father. Three senior students have reportedly been detained, including Sourav Chowdhury, a former student who had never left the Main Boys Hostel.

The state human rights commission has also stepped in, seeking a report from the university authorities. Governor CV Ananda Bose visited the campus and interacted with students, promising to address their concerns.

The ongoing investigation of Mewat riots has brought forth Pakistani connection in allegedly instigating the violence.

Around a dozen social media groups traced to Pakistan have come on police radar during investigations for allegedly playing a pivotal role in Mewat clashes. The groups are being run on social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and Telegram and have thousands of followers from across the Mewat region of Haryana, UP and Rajasthan.

These groups are allegedly professing hatred through daily broadcasts. The groups not just instigated mobsters to ‘give it all’ for the community during riots but were flooded with celebratory messages after the attack. Majority of accused nabbed have been found to be active members of these groups.

Amongst a dozen, was a YouTube account by the name of “Ahsan Mewati Pakistani”. His videos were specifically crafted using social media feeds that were making rounds on social media on July 31 when the riots started in Nuh district of Mewat. In response to complaints against this channel it has been taken down by YouTube. The now-removed YouTube channel, with 273 videos and 80,000 followers, was dedicated to spreading misinformation and promoting violence during the recent Haryana communal unrest.

“Yes there we have social media accounts being run from Pakistan under scanner for instigating the flare up in Nuh. Though majority chats or broadcasts have been deleted, we are trying to retrieve it. We have even recovered videos of clashes from these accounts which helped us identify the accused,” said Nuh SP Narendra Bijarnia.

The accounts are under the radar of National security agencies also. Rajasthan police too on an alert are probing similar accounts with numerous followers in districts of Alwar and Bharatpur.

It may be noted that around 40 voice messages shared in groups are being probed by the cyber cell where the mob was instigated by local leaders to attack and kill. One of the 2 minutes 50 seconds audio clip that has gone viral reveals a local leader asking a mob to attack Nalhar temple.

“Meos are not a community of cowards and this is the time to prove it. They are 200 here right now, at least kill 20 to teach a lesson and create impact. Gather all at Shingaar temple. Get out of attachments with your family, money, children etc as one day everybody has to die, so die for your community. Don’t shoot any videos while attacking. Video addiction is a major problem with you people,” one of the voice messages posted on a group said.

Before the government could shut down the Internet, videos of cars and their locations were shared in WhatsApp groups asking local mobsters to gather, intercept and attack. There were voice messages asking mobsters to cover faces and ensure they are not captured in any video

Many WhatsApp groups were in fact created that very same day and accused were part of these. The messages had been deleted but the cyber cell with help of experts is recovering the same.

(This article was first published in India Narrative)