‘Remove bulletproof glass or I won’t speak’: Ex-officer recalls PM Modi’s demand on I-Day 2014
Former defence secretary RK Mathur has recalled how Prime Minister Narendra Modi insisted on removing the bulletproof glass barrier from the Red Fort before delivering his first Independence Day address as Prime Minister in 2014.Speaking about the episode, Mathur said he and the then Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) had briefed Modi about the security arrangements ahead of August 15. The officials had specifically discussed the bulletproof glass barrier placed in front of the Prime Minister.“Me and the Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB), went to PM Modi for a briefing before August 15 because it was his first Independence Day where he would address the country from the ramparts of the Red Fort (as the Prime Minister).”“During that conversation we explained him (PM Modi) that there is a barrier in front of him which is the bulletproof glass. PM Modi said, ‘if this stays in front of me, I would not be able to address the citizens’,” he told news agency IANS.Mathur said security officials initially opposed removing the shield because of the risks involved. The location offers a wide view of the surrounding area, including buildings in Chandni Chowk, making security arrangements particularly sensitive.“From our side, this was naturally a security issue. As people know, the entire Chandni Chowk area is visible from there (Red Fort) where there are many buildings. That is why, from a security standpoint we urged the Prime Minister to rethink his decision. However, PM Modi clearly stated that if this (bulletproof shield) is not removed, he will not address.”The former defence secretary said the security team eventually agreed to Modi’s demand and removed the glass barrier just hours before the Independence Day ceremony.“Due to this, I and the director of IB changed our standpoint and decided to remove the bulletproof glass. This glass shield was then removed on the intervening night of August 14 and 15, at about 2 am,” Mathur added.The episode was recalled as Modi once again departed from established security protocol during the 80th Independence Day celebrations on Saturday, when he met schoolchildren, NCC cadets and ‘My Bharat’ volunteers at the Red Fort after his address.
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During the interaction, a young girl approached Modi and bent down to touch his feet. As she did so, her cap slipped from her head and fell to the ground.Modi immediately bent down, picked up the cap and placed it back on the girl’s head. The gesture drew smiles and applause from the children and people around them.
