Democracy can't be restricted to elections only: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that democracy "cannot be restricted to elections and government only" and everyone must feel that he or she is working for the country's progress.

"Our definition of democracy cannot be restricted to elections and government only. Democracy is strengthened by Jan Bhagidari (people's participation)," Modi said at the Jagran Forum of Jagran News here.

Modi said, "I want to make India's development journey a 'mass movement'" and that "everyone must feel he or she is working for India's progress".

He also said there were several measures for the poor, other than the crucial Goods and Services Tax bill, pending in parliament.

"People only talk about the GST and parliament, but there are several other measures also for the poor that are pending in parliament."

He said: "Mahatma Gandhi brought a big change in the freedom struggle. He made it a 'Jan Andolan' (mass movement)."

"The first thing is to have faith in the people and their strengths."

The prime minister said that laws made before Independence were based on the premise that people should not be trusted.

"This approach should now change," he said, adding that archaic laws were being weeded out.

Modi also spoke about self-certification of documents, the people's participation in 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' and the campaign to give up LPG subsidy.

He explained how the 'Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana', and the 'Start Up India - Stand Up India' initiatives were creating a positive impact in the country.

Modi said that 'minimum government, maximum governance' was his government's motto.