President invokes Gandhi, Nehru, urges MPs to act as one in national interest

In her address to a joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday (January 28, 2026) asked MPs to stand as one on issues of national security, Viksit Bharat (developed India) and the campaign for ‘swadeshi’, adding that the government was working towards social justice.

Invoking Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Babasaheb Ambedkar, and leaders such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Jayaprakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia, Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, she said that “amid different opinions and diverse viewpoints, there has been unanimity about nothing being greater than the nation.”

Amid unease over certain sections of the University Grants Commission’s regulations to promote equity in higher education institutions, the President said the government was working with “full sensitivity” for all – for Dalits, backward classes, the marginalised and tribal communities. President Murmu further said her government was committed to social justice.

In 2014, social security schemes could reach only 25 crore citizens, she said, adding, that efforts of the government have seen 95 crore Indians receiving social security cover currently. “My government is working with full sensitivity for all – for Dalits, backward classes, the marginalised and tribal communities,” she said.

Ms. Murmu added that the architect of the Constitution, Ambedkar, always laid emphasis on equality and social justice.

“Our Constitution inspires us in the same spirit,” she said, underlining that social justice means every citizen gets to exercise full rights, without discrimination.

In her customary address to both Houses of Parliament, President Murmu said that the government was accelerating the “reform express” for achieving a developed India by 2047 when India would mark 100 years of independence.

President Murmu said the world saw the valour of Indian armed forces through Operation Sindoor when terror camps across the border were destroyed and asserted that any terrorist attack will be responded with decisive action. India has proved that power can be used with responsibility and wisdom, she said.

President Murmu’s mention of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) scheme was met with loud protests from the Opposition benches. The President said the initiative would provide guarantee for 125 days of work, would stop corruption and leakages, and provide a new impetus to rural development.

The Opposition members raised slogans demanding its rollback, even as the treasury benches thumped their desks in support of the scheme. President Murmu had to take a brief pause amid Opposition cries of “vapas lo” (roll back) against the Act that replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

She further went on to refer to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU) in her address. She said that the conclusion of negotiations for the FTA with the EU will give impetus to India’s manufacturing and service sectors, and create new employment opportunities for the country’s youth.

“Over the past 11 years, the economic foundation of the country has grown significantly stronger. Despite various global crises, India has remained the fastest-growing major economy in the world,” President Murmu said.

She said India has further improved its record in keeping inflation under control. “It is directly benefiting the poor and middle-class families of the country. As a result of the policies of my government, the income of citizens has increased, their savings have grown, and their purchasing power has also improved,” she said.

Over the past 11 years, she said, the economic foundation of the country had grown significantly stronger and despite various global crises, India has remained the fastest growing major economy in the world.