New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hit out hard at Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi in the Rajya Sabha. He said both former Prime Ministers looked at India’s huge population as a burden and a problem. Modi contrasted this with his own view – that 140 crore Indians are the country’s biggest strength and the real solutions to every challenge.
This sharp attack came during his nearly two-hour reply to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in the Budget Session of Parliament. Opposition MPs from Congress and other parties raised slogans, walked out, and protested outside the House. The Motion was later passed by voice vote in their absence.
Modi quoted directly from a speech Indira Gandhi made during a visit to Iran many years ago. She had recalled what her father Nehru once said when asked how many problems he faced as Prime Minister. Nehru reportedly replied, “35 crore” – the population of India at that time (around 1951, when the population was about 36 crore).
Indira Gandhi then added that now the population had grown to 57 crore (around 1971 census figure was nearly 55 crore), so her problems had also become that big.
Modi said, “Nehruji felt 35 crore citizens are a problem. Indiraji felt 57 crore are a problem. Can any leader think like this about their own people?”
He asked the House, “The father saw 35 crore as problems, the daughter saw 57 crore as problems. How can someone treat their own citizens as problems?”
Modi then gave his clear contrast: “For them, people were problems. For us, 140 crore Indians are 140 crore solutions.”
The Full Quote Modi Used from Indira Gandhi
In her published speeches, Indira Gandhi had said: “When someone asked my father how many problems he had, he replied ‘35 crore’ – which was our population then. Now the population is 57 crore, so that is the dimension of my problems.”
Modi used this to show what he called a deep difference in thinking between the Congress era and today. He said Congress always saw people as a burden, while his government sees them as partners, assets, and the real power behind India’s progress.
Modi Highlights Big Achievements of His Government
Modi listed many steps his government has taken to turn people into strength:
- Replaced the old Planning Commission (set up by Nehru) with NITI Aayog in 2014. He said even Indira Gandhi once criticised the Planning Commission for its rigid rules. He gave the famous “jeep vs mule” example: Indira wanted mules for workers in Himachal Pradesh hills (where no roads existed), but the Commission said “no policy for mules, only jeeps”.
- Completed the Sardar Sarovar Dam on Narmada, a project started decades ago but stuck for years.
- Banking reforms: Before 2014, many banks were in bad shape due to political phone calls for loans. Now NPAs are below 1%, banks are making record profits, and more poor people have accounts.
- Public sector companies are now earning record profits and going global.
- Startup culture is booming. Modi said Congress could not even run its own small “home-based startup”.
- Early achievement of solar energy targets: India had promised certain solar goals by 2030, but they were met by 2025. Ethanol blending targets were also achieved 2-3 years early.
- Major trade deals: India signed future-ready agreements with nine big countries, plus the “mother of all deals” with the 27-nation European Union. A deal with the US also happened. Modi said the world now feels more stable and confident because of these pacts.
He said India is on the “reform express” and moving fast towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Opposition Walks Out, Raises Slogans
As soon as Modi started speaking and touched the Nehru-Indira topic, opposition MPs began shouting slogans like “Modi teri kabr khudegi” (Modi, we will dig your grave) and “LoP ko bolne do” (Let the Leader of Opposition speak).
Congress, TMC, and other parties walked out. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge later said the walkout happened because the government was not letting opposition leaders speak properly in either House.
Outside the House, protests continued. Some Congress leaders said Modi was trying to divert attention from real issues and was “weak” on facing criticism.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said there was never any plan to attack the Prime Minister personally.
Congress Hits Back
Congress spokespersons said Modi was again doing “history lessons” instead of talking about today’s problems like unemployment, inflation, and farmer issues. They called his attack on Nehru and Indira “insult to the freedom struggle leaders”.
One Congress leader said, “Modi ji is scared of the truth and hides behind old stories.”
How India’s Population Changed – Then and Now
| Time Period | Population | What Nehru/Indira Said (as per Modi) | Modi Government’s View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nehru era (1950s) | ~35 crore | 35 crore problems | – |
| Indira era (1970s) | ~57 crore | 57 crore problems | – |
| Today (2026) | 140 crore | – | 140 crore solutions & strength |
Modi said the old thinking treated population as a liability. His government sees it as demographic dividend – young people, workers, innovators, and consumers.
Other Strong Points Modi Made
- Congress “stole” the surname Gandhi and their real ancestral work was something else (a dig at the family name).
- Congress only knows how to “imagine” big things but never implements them.
- The country is now moving with speed, and people are the real remote control of the government.
The almost 100-minute speech was full of examples, data, and sharp one-liners. Many BJP MPs clapped loudly at every point against Congress.
What Experts and People Are Saying
Many political watchers said this speech shows Modi’s style – always linking present success with past failures of Congress.
Common people on social media had mixed reactions. Some praised Modi for speaking the truth, others said he should focus on future instead of digging up old speeches.
A few drivers and small shopkeepers said, “Whether 35 crore or 140 crore, we just want good jobs and low prices.”
FAQs
Q1. What exactly did Modi say about Nehru and Indira?
He quoted Indira Gandhi’s old speech where she said Nehru called the 35 crore population his biggest problem, and she herself faced 57 crore problems. Modi said this shows they saw people as problems, while he sees 140 crore people as solutions.
Q2. Is the 35 crore and 57 crore quote real?
Yes, it is from Indira Gandhi’s published speeches. She mentioned it during a visit abroad to explain the scale of India’s challenges.
Q3. Why did opposition walk out?
They protested when Modi criticised Nehru and Indira and raised slogans against him. They said the government is not giving them chance to speak.
Q4. What big achievements did Modi mention?
Early solar and ethanol targets, new trade deals with 9 countries + EU + US, banking reforms, NITI Aayog, startup boom, and completing long-pending projects like Narmada Dam.
Q5. When will this speech affect normal politics?
It has already heated up the Budget Session. Opposition is angry, and BJP is using it to show the difference between old and new thinking.
Q6. Where can I watch the full speech?
On Sansad TV YouTube channel or the official PIB website.
Q7. Does Modi want to remove Nehru’s name everywhere?
No, he did not say that. He only criticised their thinking on population and planning.