Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the closing ceremony of Bihar Legislative Assembly centenary celebrations on Tuesday, singing paeans about the history and legacy of the state and asking the MPs and MLAs to unite across the party lines to defeat the challenges to democracy in the country.

His words came as a pleasant surprise to the people attending the function as the present ruling dispensation at the Centre has been constantly accused of being responsible for the erosion of the authority and importance of various democratic, constitutional institutions, as well as, traditions.

“The Bihar Legislative Assembly has its own place in history. Many important and courageous decisions have been taken in its building. Governor Satyendra Prasanna Sinha had appealed to encourage swadeshi industries and charkha (spinning wheel) from here before Independence. The Assembly passed the zamindari abolition Act after Independence,” Modi said while addressing the closing ceremony.

Continuing in the same vein, he pointed out that chief minister Nitish Kumar has taken ahead the tradition by bringing a panchayati raj related law to provide 50 per cent reservation to women in the local self-government bodies.

“When large parts of the world were taking their first steps towards civilisation and culture, a developed democracy was functioning in Vaishali here. The Lichchhavi and Vajji republics were at their peak here when different parts of the world were beginning to understand democratic rights. When anybody tries to tell us that India got democracy due to foreign rule, he tries to hide the history and legacy of Bihar,” Modi said.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar, Assembly speaker Vijay Kumar Sinha, Bihar Legislative Council acting chairman Awadhesh Narain Singh, leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, several Union and state ministers, MLAs and MLCs were present on the occasion.

The Prime Minister inaugurated a ‘centenary pillar’ on the premises of the Assembly to mark the completion of its 100 years and planted a ‘kalpataru’ tree in the garden there. He also laid the foundation stones for a guesthouse and a museum of the Assembly.

Pointing out that Bihar gave leaders like first President Dr Rajendra Prasad, Loknayak Jaiprakash Narayan, Karpoori Thakur and Jagjivan Ram to the country, Modi asserted that the state has always been at the forefront to oppose any effort to crush the Constitution.

“It is our responsibility as an MP or an MLA in the state to come together to defeat any challenge to democracy. Our voice should be united for the nation and national interest, irrespective of the ruling or opposition parties,” Modi said and also appealed to the people not to see their duties separate from their rights.

The Prime Minister also emphasised that “India believes democracy as a medium for equity and equality. India believes in the thoughts of co-existence and harmony. We believe in truth, cooperation, harmony and the power of social unity.”

Modi’s words could become a soothing balm for the minority communities, scheduled tribes, the poor and the deprived in the country if implemented in its letter and spirit, especially at a time the politics of hate has created a chasm between coexisting religions and threatening the social fabric. Inflation and joblessness are tearing the common people.

Speaking on the occasion, Nitish expressed happiness on Modi’s visit and remembered that President Ram Nath Kovind had inaugurated the centenary celebrations in October last year.