Speedy probe, punishment for crime against women: PM Modi amid doctors’ protest

Breaking the silence over the horrifying rape and murder of a woman doctor at a hospital in Kolkata, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the people of the country are angry over crimes against women, while addressing the nation from the Red Fort on 78^th Independence Day. He said that there is a need for speedy investigation and punishment to restore public trust in the judicial system.

“I want to once again convey my deep anguish from the Red Fort today. Our society must urgently address the grave atrocities against women that are occurring—this has sparked considerable outrage across the nation. I share this sense of outrage. It is crucial that the country, society, and state governments take decisive action. Rapid investigations and stringent punishments for those responsible are essential to restore faith in our system,” said PM Modi.

He pointed out that when individuals with such horrific tendencies are punished, it often goes unnoticed, tucked away in the corners of media coverage.

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“It is crucial at this moment that we have thorough discussions about the punishments meted out to offenders, so that those who commit these crimes fully understand the serious consequences, including severe penalties such as hanging. Creating this awareness is vital to instill the necessary deterrent effect,” he emphasized.

Narendra Modi becomes PM to hoist tricolour for third highest time

PM Narendra Modi set a new record by hoisting the national flag from the Red Fort for the 11th consecutive time, surpassing his immediate predecessor, Manmohan Singh, who had done so 10 times. With this achievement, Modi now holds the position of the third-highest number of flag hoistings by a prime minister.

The top record belongs to Jawaharlal Nehru, who hoisted the tricolour 17 times between 1947 and 1964. His daughter, Indira Gandhi, holds the second-highest record with 16 flag hoistings, which she achieved over two separate terms: 1966-1977 and 1980-1984. Singh, who led the Congress-led UPA government for a decade, hoisted the flag 10 times during his tenure from 2004 to 2014.

Among India’s 15 prime ministers, Gulzarilal Nanda and Chandra Shekhar are the only ones who did not hoist the flag. Nanda, who served briefly as the second prime minister on two occasions—May 27-June 9, 1964, and January 11-24, 1966—never had the opportunity. Chandra Shekhar, who led a coalition government from November 1990 to June 1991, also did not hoist the flag.

In fifth place is Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who, despite serving as prime minister for just 13 days in 1996 and in two incomplete terms from 1998 to 2004, managed to hoist the flag six times. Rajiv Gandhi, who served as India’s youngest prime minister from 1984 to 1989, follows with five flag hoistings.