“Decoding the President’s speech-Words matter, especially when used by the highest constitutional authority of the country”

Source: The post is based on the article “Decoding the President’s speech-Words matter, especially when used by the highest constitutional authority of the country” published in “The Hindu” on 22nd August 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Parliament

News: In this article author discusses President Droupadi Murmu’s Independence Day speech, emphasizing the Constitution’s importance, India’s history, and the significance of specific word choices in reflecting the nation’s ideological debates.

What did President Droupadi Murmu emphasize?

President Droupadi Murmu, in her Independence Day address, underlined the Constitution as India’s guiding document. She stressed the nation’s dedication to remain a constitutional democracy.

The President also highlighted the importance of harmony with nature, female empowerment, and the transformative power of education, drawing from her personal experience as a teacher.

She acknowledged India’s economic achievements while pointing out that there’s more to be done to fulfill the dreams of the freedom fighters.

What’s the debate around identity?

President Murmu emphasized the identity of being an “Indian citizen” as paramount, even though Indians have multiple identities like caste, language, and profession.

Interestingly, she didn’t mention religion as an identity, using the term “creed” instead. In Hindi, she used “panth” instead of the more common “dharma”.

Why do word choices matter?

The choice of terms becomes crucial in the backdrop of ongoing ideological debates. For instance, the Constitution uses terms like “religion” and “faith,” translated in Hindi as “dharma.” The author suggests that such word choices by the President, the nation’s highest authority, are consequential. They can be indicative of broader ideological stances and should align with the Constitution’s language.