Prime Minister Modi highlights importance of democracy, calls for 'Jan Andolan'

After highlighting the importance of public participation in a democracy, Modi said that the definition of democracy could not be restricted only to elections and the governments

Drawing inspiration from the Indian freedom struggle, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that he wanted to make the country's development journey a 'Jan Andolan'.

"Everyone must feel he or she is working for India's progress. The first thing is to have faith in the people and their strengths. This becomes 'Lok Shakti'," he said while addressing the Jagran Forum.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted the importance of public participation in a democracy and said that the definition of democracy could not be restricted only to elections and the governments.

"Democracy is strengthened by people's participation," he said.

Invoking Mahatma Gandhi to highlight the importance of 'jan bhaagidari', Prime Minister Modi credited the Father of the Nation for bringing a big change in the process of the freedom struggle.

"Mahatma Gandhi transformed the freedom struggle into a 'Jan Andolan'. He turned a common man into a soldier of the freedom struggle," he added.

He also took the opportunity to express his concern over the repeated disruptions in the Parliament and said that the rights of the poor are being ignored with the Parliament not functioning.