Interim budget magnifies PM Modi’s ‘social justice’ theme, gives a counter secularism pitch

WHILE STAYING away from populist announcements, the interim budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Thursday aligned with what are set to be the themes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign as he seeks re-election for a third time months from now.

This included focus on social justice with a clear emphasis on garib, mahilayen, yuva and annadata (poor, women, youth and farmers, identified by the PM earlier as the “four biggest castes for me”), with Sitharaman calling the needs, aspirations and welfare of these four sections the government’s “highest priority”, emphasising that the beneficiaries cut across strata and geography.

“The country progresses when they progress. All four require and receive government support in their quest to better their lives. Their empowerment and well-being will drive the country forward,” Sitharaman said.

In an hour-long speech, presenting her sixth budget, Sitharaman also countered indirectly the criticism of majoritarianism levelled against the BJP – describing the Modi government’s measures as “secularism in action”.

Linking the same also to the government’s “fight” against corruption, at a time when several Opposition leaders are facing investigation, the Finance Minister said: “Previously, social justice was mostly a political slogan. For our government, social justice is an effective and necessary governance model. The saturation approach of covering all eligible people is the true and comprehensive achievement of social justice. This is secularism in action, reduces corruption and prevents nepotism.”

Sitharaman added: “There is transparency, and an assurance that benefits are delivered to all eligible people, that resources are distributed fairly. All, regardless of