Opposition slams Narendra Modi's I-Day speech; industry, Bollywood term it 'inspirational'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the nation from the Red Fort on India's 68th Independence Day. Even though this was Narendra Modi's first Independence Day address to the nation as PM, the critics already had their swords out. In fact, Tushar Gandhi in a leading English news channel admitted  that he had decided to find flaws in Modi's speech even before it had happened.

Opposition parties criticised Modi's maiden speech claiming that Modi was still in campaign mode. Some politicians though chose to take a neutral stand, leaving it to the public at large to interpret the speech. Senior BJP leader LK Advani praised Narendra Modi for speaking extempore. Here is how politicians and the common man reacted to Modi's Independence Day speech:

Theres nothing wrong in ppl praising PM Modi’s speech today but I felt it was an “election speech”: Salman Khurshid pic.twitter.com/gwzfMGdBCn

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 15, 2014

There was more of sound and less of substance in PM's speech today-Manoj Jha,RJD pic.twitter.com/I6bq6AKYTW

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 15, 2014

Claiming that there was nothing substantial in the speech, Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed said, " It was a zero effect speech from the Prime Minister and had nothing new in it. Narendra Modi is still in a campaign mode."

Another Congress spokesperson, Manish Tewari, said the following:

Manish Tewari : Certain propriety attached to this ocassion,let ppl of country judge what they think abt PM’s speech pic.twitter.com/8RaJMMQSlS

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 15, 2014

Taking a dig at Modi's move to replace Planning Commission with a new institution, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "Modi's speech seems to be an attempt to centralize powers in the hands of just one man."

Ghulam Nabi Azad on Planning Commisssion : Seem to be an attempt to centralize powers in the hands of just one man pic.twitter.com/TlJimgBD44

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 15, 2014

Questioning the measures to prevent crimes against women, Samajwadi Party's Naresh Agarwal said, "Prime Minister spoke about rapes, female foeticide but didn't clarify measures to be taken to prevent rapes and to increase security for women.

Also read: Jan Dhan scheme, model village, sanitation for women, digital India: Highlights of Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech

On the other hand, people from the film and corporate fraternity praised Narendra Modi for his speech terming it inspiring. 

Chairman and Managing Director of Biocon Kiran Mazumdar Shaw tweeted:

What a stirring n awe inspiring Independence Day address from PM Modi. It touched the emotional chords in every one of us.

— Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (@kiranshaw) August 15, 2014

I think it was the best speech I ever heard in my working life.It was just amazing-Sidharth Birla,FICCI on PM Modi pic.twitter.com/wtGCOhiAP4

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 15, 2014

Sanjay Baru, media adviser to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, "Speech by Modi was truly inspirational! Modi spoke like a PM should. Planning Commission belonged to Nehruvian era. Was Nehru's creation. Now PM Modi to mark a new era with new institution! History in making!"

Truly inspirational I-Day speech! Modi spoke like a PM should!

— sanjaya baru (@barugaru) August 15, 2014

Also read:  On its 68th Independence Day, does India have #FreedomFrom intolerance?

Inspirational speech by our PM @narendramodi this morning. Proud moment for everyone. Hope to see the changes in the future. #optimistic ..

— Aftab Shivdasani (@AftabShivdasani) August 15, 2014

Another spectacular speech by our PMO @narendramodi wow, truly inspiring. Looking forward to a better India.

— Dino Morea (@DinoMorea9) August 15, 2014

Also read: Girls' toilets, sexual abuse, Planning Commission: 10 issues Narendra Modi discussed in his Independence Day speech

Decades of precedents on Independence Day Speech shattered as PM @narendramodi goes where no PM has ever gone before :)

— Shashi Shekhar (@shashidigital) August 15, 2014

Common people had mixed views about Modi's speech:

PM @narendramodi without Bulletproof cover & another Prime Ministers with their bullet-proof covers on 15 aug speech pic.twitter.com/SvR9JNjKd9

— Tajinder Pal S Bagga (@tajinderbagga) August 15, 2014

Rape is a National Shame, said Narendra Modi. Then he called his Minister Nihal Chand, accused of Rape and said 'Relax. It's just a speech'

— Joy (@Joydas) August 15, 2014

He came, He Spoke and He won our hearts. #ModiSpeech .@narendramodi

— Kuldeep Bhatt (@TeslaJi) August 15, 2014

I'lways believed #indopak must join 2 fight common enemy #poverty 67yrs r enough hatred 2day @narendramodi retreated #IndianIndependenceDay

— AnileshMahajanاَنليش (@anileshmahajan) August 15, 2014

Amazing speech by our PM. Truly inspiring. Let us all rise for our nation and make it clean, safe, and prosperous. Jai Hind @narendramodi

— shagun rathi (@shagunrathi) August 15, 2014

@narendramodi Ur Heaviest View on Cleanliness Clean India via Govt Corporates via CSR & People's partnership is well coming & Good for MyIn

— Bhavya shah (@bmsshah1) August 15, 2014

@narendramodi ...Speech v hearfelt n inspiring...Sir aftr hearing ur speech today u come across as v inspiring n clean heartd person..

— tasneem (@tasneemisk) August 15, 2014

ROARING HEART TOUCHING INDEPENDENCE DAY speech by @narendramodi.I have decided to DONATE for CONSTRUCTION of TIOLET for GIRLS in one SCHOOL

— Dr Vineet Kumar Garg (@Drvineetgarg65) August 15, 2014

#IndiaAt68 @narendramodi 's oratory skills are mesmerising. Only one who is clean at mind and clear with his thoughts can communicate well.

— Akhil Reghunath (@AReghunath7) August 15, 2014

@narendramodi @Vande_Mataram I'm following Pm's speech every year on ind. day for 1st time i feel a PM is speaking true language of people

— vinit trivedi (@vin21077) August 15, 2014

@vaidehisachin Appealing & refreshing speech from our PM @narendramodi ; hope his words get translated into actions. Happy Independence Day.

— Serfaraz Alam (@AlamSerfaraz) August 15, 2014