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Modi skips key issues in latest Mann ki Baat, invites Opposition’s wrath
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s radio show Mann ki Baat on Sunday was the talking point among his critics not for what he said but what he skipped.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s radio show Mann ki Baat on Sunday was the talking point among his critics not for what he said but what he skipped.
Even as the Opposition is cornering the government on issues like Kashmir, price rise and atrocities against Dalits in Parliament, the PM failed to take up any of these issues in his latest talk show.
Speaking about the Prime Minister Safe Motherhood Scheme — under which pregnant women can avail of free check-ups every month at government medical institutes — he said, “Every year 3 crore women become pregnant. But during child birth, women or children and in some cases both, die. We have started a new scheme in the past few months under which pregnant women can avail of free check-ups at government health clinics on 9th of every month.”
The PM also urged people not to take antibiotics without consulting doctors. But these topics fell short of pacifying the Opposition.
“How I wish my Prime Minister had found a few reassuring words for my state which has seen almost 50 deaths and countless injured,” former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah tweeted.
Kaushal Vidyarthee, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s aide, tweeted, “Once upon a time #pricerise was mentioned in every 2nd rally; but so far nothing on it in 22 editions of #MannKiBaat,” raking up the Opposition’s charges that the Prime Minister is maintaining silence even as the retail prices of food items have skyrocketed.
While a Twitter use said the PM should have spoken about the self-styled cow protectors, many questioned the his silence on Dalit issues when one after another incident of atrocity against Dalits has hit the headlines.
Modi also spent the time talking about India’s prospects at the upcoming Rio Olympics. He sought suggestions from public about what he should say in his August 15 speech.
