New Delhi: Freedom is more than just a phrase, as Congressman and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi emphasised in his Independence Day speech to the nation on Thursday. He also called freedom “our biggest protective shield.”
The former president of Congress wrote on X: “Happy Independence Day to all countrymen. For us, freedom is not just a word—it is our biggest protective shield, woven into constitutional and democratic values. This is the power of expression, the ability to speak the truth, and the hope to fulfil dreams. Jai Hind!”
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said on the occasion of Independence Day that “democracy and the Constitution are our biggest shields.”
“We remember the sacrifices of millions of our great freedom fighters and pay our respects to them.
Posting on X Kharge wrote, “Democracy and the Constitution are the biggest shields for our 140 crore Indians. We will protect it till our last breath. The Opposition is like the oxygen of democracy. Along with stopping the unconstitutional attitude of the government, it also raises the issues of the public. It is a matter of concern that constitutional and autonomous institutions have been turned into puppets by the government.”
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The Congress President further said: “The dream of our freedom fighters was to maintain unity in diversity. But some forces are trying to destroy our brotherhood by forcibly imposing their views on the country. Therefore, it is important that all of us remain conscious of the freedom given in the Constitution regarding expression, life, food habits, clothing, method of worship and freedom to move anywhere.”
Still further, he wrote, “As the President of the Congress party, I want to assure all the countrymen that we will continue to fight against unemployment, inflation, poverty, corruption and inequality. Be ready to make every sacrifice to protect the Constitution. This will be the true tribute to our ancestors. Jai Hind!”
Kharge unfurled the Tricolor earlier on Thursday at the Congress headquarters. Senior party leaders Rahul Gandhi and his mother, Sonia Gandhi, were also present.
Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra posted on X: “Freedom, democracy, justice, equality and mutual unity are our national resolve. These values are the foundation of our Constitution and protecting them is our ultimate duty towards the country. Our resolve to protect our freedom, the Constitution and its principles is firm. Jai Bharat! Jai Hind!”
India on Thursday celebrated its 78th Independence Day.
Two months after he began his third term in office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday morning hoisted the national flag on the ramparts of Red Fort.
In his address to the nation, PM Modi stressed the central government’s vision of making India a developed country by 2047.
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(Photo: IANS/Anupam Gautam)