NEW DELHI: In his last Independence Day speech before the country goes to polls in 2019, PM Narendra Modi set special focus on initiatives to safeguard the interest of women. He promised that the law will be unsparing in dealing with sexual offenders and that he remained committed to a law against instant triple talaq .

From assuring Muslim women that his government will find a way to deal with triple talaq, and that passage of a bill had only been stalled because of “some people” — a barb aimed at Congress — Modi also announced that women in armed forces will be eligible for permanent commission.

Noting with pride the appointment of three women judges to the Supreme Court, the PM said his Cabinet had the largest number of women since Independence.

While lauding the strides taken by Indian women in every field, he noted with concern the recent incidents of rape in the country. He asserted that society must be free from this “demonic” mindset.

