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New Delhi : For the Prime Minister’s safety, he used to deliver his Independence Day speech behind bulletproof glass. However, in 2014, the security protocol was changed, and this glass was removed. Since then, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been delivering his speech from the Red Fort without bulletproof glass. There is a story behind the removal of this glass.
Former Defence Secretary R.K. Mathur explained that Prime Minister Narendra Modi insisted on removing the bulletproof glass. He also said that if the glass was not removed, he would not give his speech. After this, at 2 am, the security protocol was changed, and it was removed.
According to media reports, R. K. Mathur said that a day before Independence Day, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau had briefed Prime Minister Modi about the security arrangements. He also mentioned the bulletproof glass to be placed in front of Prime Minister Modi. The Prime Minister retorted that if it remains like this, I will not be able to address the citizens of the country properly.
Mathur explained that initially the officials were not satisfied with the removal of the bulletproof glass. They were concerned about the Prime Minister’s security. Firstly, the Red Fort is located in Chandni Chowk, the busiest area of Delhi. Secondly, the area in front is very large. Therefore, bulletproof glass was felt necessary in front of the Prime Minister.
He said that the entire Chandni Chowk is visible from the Red Fort. There are dense buildings in front of it. As a result, the Prime Minister was asked to reconsider his decision. However, the Prime Minister had clearly said that if the bulletproof barrier was not removed, he would not deliver the speech.
The former Defence Secretary said that the officials had to bow to the Prime Minister’s insistence, and the glass was removed at 2 am. He added that the IB chief and I had taken the decision together that night, and the bulletproof glass was removed that same night. It should be noted that after delivering a speech from the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visits students and NCC cadets and interacts with them.
When PM Modi reached to meet the children, a girl tried to touch his feet. His cap fell off. The Prime Minister immediately picked up the cap and placed it on the girl’s head. After this, the children around started clapping. After delivering a speech from the Red Fort, the children also wait for this moment, when they get a chance to meet the Prime Minister up close.
