Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in his message to the public on the eve of the 79th Independence Day on Thursday, said that it is an occasion to introspect whether the constant attempts at fuelling communal polarisation to divert attention from major issues are befitting a nation with a high democratic culture.
“The freedom that we have achieved is the result of the Indian people overcoming all social and communal differences and uniting in the national movement. This country is a treasure trove of regional, linguistic and communal diversity. Reactionary forces are trying to distort our nationalism, which is based on secularism, communal amity and coexistence and create division among the people. They are attempting to portray criticism of wrongful policies of the government as treason and attempting to tarnish the great tradition of our national movement,” he said.
Mr. Vijayan said that the nation builders had entrusted us with the duty of transforming India into a country with better living conditions, towards which the people should work for.
In his Independence Day message, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said that as the citizens of the world’s largest democracy, it is our duty to treasure our freedom and equality by upholding democratic values and ensuring greater dignity for our fellow beings.
It is an occasion to pay our respectful homage to the countless patriots and freedom fighters who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. In remembrance of their supreme sacrifices and efforts, let us rededicate ourselves towards the goal of becoming a Viksit Bharat blessed with greater development, inclusion and self-reliance, Mr. Arlekar said.
Sharing his Independence Day greetings, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan said thousands of freedom fighters, known and unknown, shed their blood so that the country could gain independence. Secularism and socialism were the slogans they raised. The Independence Day was a reminder to everyone of the responsibility to uphold the values they fought for, he said.
Many forces were trying to divide the people by observing Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, turning people against each other, and fuelling communal disharmony. “Everyone should stand united against such forces.”
Only when those who loved the country came together in the struggle to protect constitutional and democratic values could one do justice to the freedom fighters, Mr. Satheesan said.
Published – August 14, 2025 08:47 pm IST
