In Independence Day speech, Kerala CM warns against communalism, calls for open-minded democracy
Notably, Vande Mataram song was not played at the function in accordance with direction of Union government
In his Independence Day speech, Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan cautioned against the threat of communalism and emphasized the importance of fostering an open-minded democracy. Addressing the celebration at Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. Satheesan urged citizens to be "guardians and fighters of a strong democracy founded on open-mindedness, tolerance, debate, self-correction and innovation."
He highlighted Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale as the giants of India's freedom struggle, whose values should inspire the nation.
Mr. Satheesan criticized the alleged caste-based purification ritual performed at a rally in Uttarakhand soon after a senior Congress leader addressed it. He questioned the message such incidents send to the country and urged everyone to oppose such attempts to the fullest. The Chief Minister vowed to protect the Constitution and its fundamental principles, calling for unity, integrity, and secularism in India.
He reminded the audience of those who lost their lives in recent landslips and floods, urging them to work together for a new-era Kerala that is compassionate, tolerant, and progressive.
The Chief Minister praised Kerala's achievements in education, healthcare, secularism, literacy, and political consciousness, asserting that these should serve as the foundation for the state's continued development. Satheesan emphasized the need to move forward without caste, religious, and gender discrimination, political blind spots, or hatred.
He pledged that on this Independence Day, they would not compromise on secularism, democratic consciousness, and equality. Earlier, the Chief Minister reviewed the parade, distributed police and bravery awards, and reviewed the contingents of the police, NCC, NSS, Bharat Scouts and Guides, and Student Police Cadets.
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