Touching upon a range of issues, the president also said women were entitled to a life of their choice and security to fulfil their potential, amid concerns over their privacy and safety.
Modi spoke for 57 minutes, his shortest Independence Day speech in four years.
Psychologists say political leaders regularly use offensive languages in public to show that they are “expressing their true feelings” and are different from peers.
UK Sahoo, DD’s Agartala centre head, said after recording Sarkar’s speech on August 14, he felt that it was controversial, but Sarkar’s words meant he could not edit it.
