NEW DELHI, Oct 8: Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks about remaining a learner and urged him to “learn” to reject hatred, prevent alleged vote manipulation and uphold democratic values.
Sibal’s remarks came a day after Modi addressed the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sabha’ while marking 25 years of his journey as a head of government.
During the event, Modi said he continued to regard himself as a student and made efforts to learn something new every day. He also said he had prayed that his ability to learn would never diminish.
Responding to the statement in a post on X, Sibal listed several issues on which he said there was a need to “learn”.
He called for greater attention to the concerns of young people, farmers and tribal communities, while urging an end to hatred and greater respect for the aspirations of others.
Sibal also called for an end to what he described as vote manipulation and urged political leaders to safeguard the basic principles of democracy.
The Rajya Sabha MP further criticised what he termed “unprincipled defections”, adding that political parties should respect democratic values and institutions.
Modi, while addressing the gathering on Wednesday, had used the slogan “We Will Do It” to express confidence that India would achieve the goal of becoming a developed country by 2047.
The prime minister also identified caste-based divisions during elections as one of the challenges that needed to be addressed on the path towards a developed India.
During his address, Modi highlighted the achievements of his government across various sectors and said several developments that had once appeared impossible had now become a reality.
Sibal’s comments added a political dimension to Modi’s remarks on learning, with the opposition leader using the prime minister’s own words to raise concerns over electoral practices, political defections and the state of democratic discourse.
The exchange comes as political parties continue to debate issues concerning elections, democratic institutions and political conduct, with opposition leaders frequently questioning the government’s policies and functioning.
Modi’s completion of 25 years as a head of government has also prompted discussions about his political journey, beginning with his tenure as Gujarat chief minister in 2001 and continuing with his leadership at the national level since 2014.
While the prime minister has highlighted India’s progress and his government’s achievements during the period, opposition leaders have used the occasion to raise questions over governance and democratic processes.
Sibal’s latest remarks focused specifically on the need for political leadership to listen to different sections of society, respect diversity and maintain democratic principles.
The former Union minister has frequently commented on political and constitutional issues through his posts on social media, particularly on matters concerning elections, Parliament and democratic institutions.
His latest post sought to turn Modi’s call for continuous learning into a broader political message, listing areas where he believes political leaders need to improve their approach.
The comments are likely to add to the ongoing political debate over electoral reforms, political defections and the conduct of democratic institutions as parties prepare for upcoming electoral contests.