Prime Minister Narendra Modi exhorted Members of Parliament to “rise above differences” and “join in a common effort” to create a new India in the next five years, from 2017 to 2022, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of Independence.

Global conditions today are again favourable for India just as in 1942 — when the Quit India movement was launched — when conditions internationally became favourable for India to get Independence, Modi said in his address in the Lok Sabha, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Quit India movement.

Modi said from 1857 to 1942, the move towards freedom was incremental, but the years from 1942 to 1947 were “transformative” and “delivered on the objective”.

“From 2017 to 2022, when India turns 75, we need to create the same spirit that existed from 1942 to 1947.

Modi urged members to pledge a commitment for creating a new India that is strong, prosperous and inclusive and an India that will make the country’s freedom fighters proud.

“Today, we don’t have Gandhi and we don’t have that kind of leadership. But 125 crore people have the belief that if we work together, we can realise the dreams of those freedom fighters,” he said.

He said corruption, poverty, illiteracy and malnutrition are challenges that India needs to overcome.

The special discussion in the Lok Sabha on the occasion had its share of controversies.

Sonia’s jab

Without taking names or naming the BJP, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, in her address, took a jab at the ruling dispensation, stating that there were some organisations that opposed the Quit India Movement.

“We must not forget that some organisations opposed the Quit India Movement, such organisations had no role in the freedom struggle,” she added. The remark was seen by political observers as an oblique reference to the role of VD Savarkar, who had opposed the Quit India movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi also went on to highlight the sacrifices of Congress leaders during the freedom struggle.

She also said “debate in the public sphere is being restricted”.