PM Modi Gives Longest Independence Day Speech Ever, Breaking His Own Record

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday set a new record with his longest Independence Day speech, lasting 98 minutes from the Red Fort. Modi’s speeches typically average 82 minutes, longer than any other Indian Prime Minister.

His previous record was 96 minutes in 2016, with his shortest being around 56 minutes in 2017. On the 78th Independence Day, Prime Minister Modi set a record for the third-longest Independence Day speech, lasting 98 minutes.

His previous speeches were 65 minutes in 2014, 88 minutes in 2015, 83 minutes in 2018, and nearly 92 minutes in 2019. This was Modi’s 11th address as PM and his first since beginning his third term.

In 2020, Modi’s Independence Day speech lasted 90 minutes. His speeches in 2021 and 2022 were 88 and 74 minutes, respectively. Last year, he spoke for 90 minutes.

Before Modi, Jawaharlal Nehru and I.K. Gujral held the record for the longest Independence Day speeches, lasting 72 and 71 minutes, respectively. Nehru and Indira Gandhi also gave the shortest speeches on record, at 14 minutes in 1954 and 1966.

Former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee also delivered shorter speeches, with Singh’s lasting 32 and 35 minutes in 2012 and 2013, and Vajpayee’s at 25 and 30 minutes in 2002 and 2003.