On April 24, 2025, during an election rally in Bihar’s Madhubani district, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an unprecedented shift from Hindi to English to deliver a powerful message against terrorism, prompted by the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 civilians. This strategic language switch was aimed at ensuring the global community received India’s resolute stance on combating terrorism loud and clear.
While addressing the rally, Modi initially spoke in Hindi, condemning the attack and expressing national grief. He then switched to English to emphasize India’s unwavering commitment to justice, stating: “From the soil of Bihar, I am telling the world that India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth.” He further vowed that the perpetrators and their conspirators would face consequences “beyond their imagination,” underscoring that “the will of 140 crore Indians will break the back of the masters of terror.”
This rare use of English in a domestic rally was a deliberate move to amplify India’s message internationally, particularly targeting Western media and nations perceived as soft on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Modi’s remarks also indirectly addressed Pakistan, warning that “the time has come to raze whatever is left of the terror haven.” The speech resonated widely, with posts on X noting that the English segment was “for the world, not just Bihar,” highlighting its global intent.
The language switch underscored Modi’s intent to project India’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, especially after Pakistan’s suspension of the Shimla Agreement, which escalated bilateral tensions. The remarks have sparked discussions about India’s next steps, with some analysts suggesting it could pave the way for stronger diplomatic and military measures.