Federal Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Sunday that the government supports dialogue and discussion, responding to questions about the social and political impact of various movements led by Generation Z.
At a press conference, Shah emphasized that citizens in a democratic society have the right to express their opinions, asserting that the government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), cannot impose a state of emergency. He noted: 'We live in a democracy. People hold different views on various issues, and it is crucial that these views are expressed. The Bharatiya Janata Party is in power, but we cannot govern by imposing a state of emergency. That is Congress culture, not ours. We believe in dialogue and discussion.'
When asked about the possible implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur using the 1951 baseline before elections, as well as the timeline for its nationwide implementation, Shah reported that the government is discussing these issues with its colleagues and political parties in Manipur. He added: 'We are discussing both these issues with our colleagues, as well as with political parties in Manipur. As soon as a decision is made, we will inform you.'
Regarding tensions related to language and regional identity due to migration, Shah stated that the government's policy is to prioritize the mother tongue. He reminded that the Constitution has established specific directives for states on this matter. The minister added: 'Our government's policy is to give priority to the mother tongue, and the Constitution has also issued specific directives for states in this regard. I do not think this will become a serious problem. Although isolated incidents may occur if some people try to incite tension, the states have leadership and will certainly find a way to resolve such issues.'
Shah also mentioned that Prime Minister Modi became the first prime minister in six decades after the early years of independence to be elected three times, which, according to him, reflects his 25-year political career. He also noted that the country has pursued a strong foreign and defense policy based on the principle of 'India First,' while the economy rose from the 'Fragile Five' to being among the top five global leaders. As proof of India's strong economic performance, he cited GDP growth of 7.8 percent in the first quarter.
Shah addressed a press conference to announce the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' campaign, scheduled from September 17 to October 17 in honor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday and his 25th anniversary in public life in Gujarat and the Centre. He announced that the BJP, its allies, and people across the country will jointly organize this month-long campaign starting on September 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday. Previously, the BJP marked Modi's birthday as 'Seva Saptah' from September 17 to October 2, although some places extended the celebration for a week. However, this year's celebration will be special as Modi will mark 25 years as Minister of State and Prime Minister on October 7.