Prime Minister Narendra Modi, known for his sharp and unapologetic takedowns of entrenched elites, delivered yet another hard-hitting critique of the so-called ‘Lutyens Jamaat’ and ‘Khan Market Gang’ at the NXT Conclave 2025. Questioning their deafening silence on colonial-era laws that restricted basic freedoms, PM Modi exposed the hypocrisy of those who masquerade as defenders of democracy yet conveniently ignored oppressive laws that existed for decades after independence.
“I am surprised by the ‘Lutyens Jamaat’ and ‘Khan Market Gang’—the ones who lecture us on liberty. They have been silent for so many years. The people who are the ‘thekedaar’ (self-proclaimed guardians) of PILs, those who visit courts every now and then, why weren’t they worried about liberty back then?” PM Modi asked, ripping into the selective activism of the so-called intellectual class.
#WATCH | Delhi | "…I am surprised by the 'Lutyens' Jamaat' and 'Khan Market Gang' that they have been silent for this many years. The people who are the 'thekedaar' of PIL, those who visit Courts every now and then, why they weren't worried about the Liberty back then…" says… pic.twitter.com/smXZjhDiux
— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2025
For decades, these self-styled “progressives” and “public interest litigants” have aggressively targeted policies that challenge their hegemony. However, PM Modi called out their complete inaction on laws that the British imposed to suppress Indian voices—laws that remained in place under successive governments led by the very elites who now posture as champions of freedom.
The Dramatic Performances Act—Why was it never questioned?
One of the prime examples cited by PM Modi was the Dramatic Performances Act, a draconian law introduced by the British 150 years ago to curtail cultural and political expression. Despite the passage of seven decades since independence, this law remained untouched, shackling citizens with absurd restrictions.
“Britishers brought a law—the Dramatic Performance Act—150 years back. Even after 75 years of independence, this law was still in place. Do you know what it meant? If more than ten people were dancing during a wedding, the police could arrest them along with the groom!” PM Modi stated, highlighting the absurdity of its continued existence.
“Had Modi brought such a law today, just think what would have happened. Even if trolls on social media spread false information, ‘ye log aag laga dete, Modi ke baal noch lete’ (they would have set fires, pulled out Modi’s hair).”
#WATCH | Delhi | "…Had Modi brought such a law (Dramatic Performances Act), just think what would have happened. Even if trolls on social media spread any such false information – 'ye log aag laga dete, Modi ke baal noch lete'. But, it's our govt which has abolished this law… https://t.co/b6Krp8wEDc pic.twitter.com/yg5zxJqtS1
— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2025
His remarks made it clear—had this law been introduced today, the same elites who stayed silent for decades would have erupted in outrage.
PM Modi pointed out that his government has now abolished this law, a move that none of the previous governments, intellectual elites, or so-called PIL activists ever cared to push for. “The people who rush to courts every day for publicity, the so-called ‘activists’—why did they never file a PIL to remove this colonial shackle? Why did they never fight for liberty when it actually mattered?” Modi asked.
Criminalising farmers for cutting bamboo—A law that opposition never opposed
PM Modi also exposed another bizarre law that punished farmers and villagers for cutting bamboo—all because previous governments failed to recognise that bamboo is not a tree! “Earlier, people used to be jailed for cutting bamboo because we had a law that considered bamboo a tree. Our earlier governments failed to understand a basic fact—bamboo is grass, not a tree. But they did nothing. It is our government that changed this law,” PM Modi declared.
Taking a dig at the West-centric narrative that India was only fit to be the world’s “back office”, PM Modi asserted that India has now emerged as a global economic powerhouse. “For decades, the world used to call India its back office. Today, India is emerging as the factory of the world,” he stated.
#WATCH | Delhi | "…Earlier, people used to be jailed for cutting bamboo because we had this law in our country that used to consider bamboo as a tree, and our earlier governments failed to understand that bamboo is not a tree… It's our govt that changed the law." says PM… pic.twitter.com/AUcVaF1ge5
— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2025
He pointed to India’s growing diplomatic and economic influence, highlighting:
- India’s leadership in global summits, including co-hosting the AI Summit in France
- The country’s successful G20 presidency, where it introduced the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC)—a new economic route that will reshape global trade
- India’s strategic empowerment of the Global South, bringing the African Union into the G20
#WATCH | Delhi | At NXT Conclave 2025, PM Narendra Modi says, "India is leading many Global Summits. Recently, I got the opportunity to attend the AI Summit in France. India was the co-host of the AI Summit – that will take the world forward; now it's India's turn to host the… pic.twitter.com/ziNVoDTWjF
— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2025
“India is leading many Global Summits. Recently, I got the opportunity to attend the AI Summit in France. India was the co-host of the AI Summit that will take the world forward; now it’s India’s turn to host the summit. India successfully hosted the G20 Summit. India gave the world a new economic route—the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). We also gave a voice to the Global South by inducting the African Union as a member of the G20… For us, the Island nations are a priority.”
PM Modi also cited the recently concluded Mahakumbh of Unity in Prayagraj as an example of India’s unmatched organisational capabilities.
#WATCH | At NXT Conclave 2025, PM Narendra Modi says, "People from the entire world want to come to India. Today, India is a country in the world where positive news is being created every day. Here, there is no need to 'manufacture' news. Every day, new records are being… pic.twitter.com/aNoPRv1Cs7
— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2025
“On February 26, Mahakumbh of Unity concluded in Prayagraj. The world is amazed—how is it possible that crores of people come to a temporary city on the bank of a river to take a holy dip? The world is witnessing India’s organising and innovating skills. The world wants to know this India in detail,” he remarked.
