Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Modi Highlights Surgical Strikes Amid Election System Credibility Concerns
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about fighting terrorism in his monthly radio program.
He marked the anniversary of military strikes carried out in Pakistan in 2016.
Those strikes followed an attack in Uri that killed 19 Indian soldiers.
Modi said India now has a zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism.
He compared this approach with how the earlier UPA government handled terror attacks.
He also spoke about India’s history and important temples.
However, he did not discuss demands involving the Election Commission and the SIR exercise.
BJP leaders said the Election Commission had explained its work clearly.
Opposition groups have continued to raise concerns about the election process.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his Mann Ki Baat address to mark the 2016 surgical strikes against terrorist hideouts in Pakistan.
The strikes followed a September 2016 militant attack on an army base in Uri that killed 19 soldiers.
Modi contrasted his government’s stated zero-tolerance policy with the previous UPA government’s handling of terrorism.
He did not address calls for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation or demands to scrap the SIR exercise.
BJP leaders defended the Election Commission, while opposition groups continued to question its processes and constitutional institutions.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP leaders, the Election Commission, and opposition groups.
- What
- Modi highlighted the 2016 surgical strikes and defended the government’s approach to terrorism while not addressing electoral-system demands.
- When
- On Sunday; the address marked the 10th anniversary of the September 28–29, 2016, surgical strikes.
- Where
- In Modi’s Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast; the strikes targeted terrorist hideouts in Pakistan after the Uri attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Why
- Modi sought to emphasize the government’s security record amid concerns about India’s electoral system.
Critics and Opposition Groups
Government and BJP Supporters
Election Commission scrutiny
Critics and Opposition Groups
Opposition groups have raised concerns about the credibility and functioning of India’s electoral system and called for action involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the SIR exercise.
Government and BJP Supporters
BJP leaders said the three election commissioners had explained the Election Commission’s functioning and process, leaving no outstanding questions.
Response to terrorism
Critics and Opposition Groups
The article presents Modi’s focus on terrorism and Pakistan as a way to shift attention away from electoral concerns.
Government and BJP Supporters
Modi and government supporters present the surgical strikes and later operations as evidence of a stronger, zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.
Treatment of constitutional institutions
Critics and Opposition Groups
Opposition parties say concerns about the Election Commission require scrutiny rather than dismissal.
Government and BJP Supporters
Yogi Adityanath accused opposition parties of trying to tarnish constitutional institutions and demanded an apology.
- Broadcast
- Mann Ki Baat, a 30-minute monthly radio address
- Military action
- Surgical strikes were carried out on September 28–29, 2016
- Triggering attack
- A militant attack on the Uri army base killed 19 soldiers on September 18, 2016
- Other operations cited
- The Balakot air strike and Operation Sindoor
- Electoral issue
- Calls included Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and scrapping the SIR exercise
- Government defense
- BJP leaders said the three election commissioners had clarified the Election Commission’s process
- Historical references
- Modi cited the September 11 attacks and raids on Gujarat’s Somnath and Modhera Sun temples