On the 78th Independence Day, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, BJP president J P Nadda, and other political leaders across the country hoisted the national flag as India celebrated its Independence Day on Thursday.
Congress president Kharge hoisted the flag at AICC Headquarters in the presence of senior leaders of the party including CPP Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.
Sharing a video of him unfurling the national flag on X, Kharge said in Hindi, “We salute all the heroes of the freedom movement.” Countless national heroes like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Maulana Azad, Rajendra Prasad, Sarojini Naidu, and Babasaheb Ambedkar played a historic role in the creation of the new India, he said.
हम स्वाधीनता आंदोलन के सभी नायकों को नमन करते हैं।
महात्मा गाँधी, पंडित जवाहरलाल नेहरु, सरदार वल्लभ भाई पटेल, नेताजी सुभाष चंद्र बोस, मौलाना आज़ाद, राजेंद्र प्रसाद, सरोजिनी नायडू व बाबासाहेब अंबेडकर जैसे अनगिनत राष्ट्रनायकों ने नए भारत के निर्माण में ऐतिहासिक भूमिका निभाई।
“Our tricolour fluttering proudly reminds us of the sacrifices of countless warriors and patriots who went to the gallows smilingly or fell prey to the bullets of British soldiers”, he further said. People from all castes, religions, sects, and regions took part in the freedom struggle, Kharge said. People of all states, languages, and regions together build a strong nation, adding that “unity in diversity is our strength, not our weakness.”
The BJP chief, after hoisting the national flag at the party headquarters in New Delhi, extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the countrymen and millions of workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He saluted the immortal freedom fighters and brave soldiers who sacrificed themselves in the struggle for the independence of the country.
“Today, our country, the mother of democracy, is celebrating its 78th Independence Day, it is a matter of great fortune and pride for all of us. Today, under the leadership of the respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi the country is rapidly moving on the path of progress, prestige, and public welfare. Come, let us together take a pledge that in this Amritkaal, we will make our nation a strong, prosperous, and self-reliant Developed India.”
In a post on X, he said: “Felt a sense of pride by participating in the national function organised at Red Fort on the auspicious occasion of Independence Day. The life ideals of those great men who sacrificed everything for our freedom will always guide us.”
Tiranga was hoisted at the residence of veteran BJP leader LK Advani in Delhi, on the occasion.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also hoisted the flag at the CM’s residence on the occasion of Independence Day.
Extending his wishes, he said Independence Day provides an opportunity to connect with the resolve of the great freedom fighters. A great salute to all those known and unknown great sons of Mother India, who provided leadership to the freedom movement in different fields and made the supreme sacrifice, UP CM said.
“If all of us rise above personal interests and connect with our civic duties with the feeling of ‘Nation First’, then no power in the world will be able to stand in the way of India. Humble tribute to the immortal brave revolutionaries”, he said in a post on X.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma hoists the national flag at the CM’s Residence on the occasion of Independence Day.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde hoists the national flag on the occassion of Independence Day. He said, “I congratulate all Indians living in India and abroad and also pay tributes to all those who made our freedom a reality.”
On Independence Day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “I extend my greetings to everyone on this day. I pay tributes to the freedom fighters and security forces due to whom we attained freedom. Today, we should resolve to make India a developed nation.”
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, on the occasion, said, “We will all strive to have a Viksit Madhya Pradesh and a Viksit Bharat. This moment has been possible only after countless sacrifices during the freedom struggle.”
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, after hoisting the national flag on the occasion of Independence Day, said, “We marked Independence Day with great fervour and a sense of gratitude to those great women and men who sacrificed their own lives so that we breathe the air of freedom.”
আকাশত স্বাধীনতাৰ ত্ৰিৰংগ নিচান, বতাহত আজি মা ভাৰতীৰ জয়গান৷৷
RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav congratulated everyone on the occasion of Independence Day. “We are determined to ensure we always remain independent”, he said.
मेरे देशवासियों,
लोकतंत्र के मूल्यों पर चलते हुए सत्य, सिद्धांत और साहस के साथ आगे बढ़ते हुए, हमने हर तानाशाह को हराया है तब जाकर स्वतंत्रता का ये सम्मान पाया है। हमारा देश तानाशाही प्रवृतियों को परास्त करे, हर वर्ग, हर धर्म, हर पंथ एक होकर विकास, एकता और भाईचारे की राह पर आगे… pic.twitter.com/bZYg3jomc0
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said, “We remember all those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the motherland. We all want our country to progress.”
AIMIM President & Member of Parliament, Asaduddin Owaisi hoisted Tricolour in Hyderabad on Independence Day.
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai addressed the public during 78th Independence Day celebrations in Raipur and said: “Looking at climate change, it is our duty to contribute to protect and conserve nature. In this direction, I urge everyone to plant saplings.”
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee also hoisted Tricolour on 78th Independence Day, in Kolkata.
Happy Independence Day to all my brothers and sisters!!
Our freedom fighters sacrificed everything to earn this freedom. On this historic day, I pay my deepest respect to them for their selfless love for the motherland. pic.twitter.com/RPbFBdfEGQ
Meanwhile, Delhi Minister Atishi said in a post on X, “No one would have even imagined in their dreams that one day, in independent India, an elected Chief Minister would be framed in a false case and kept in jail for months. Let us pledge on this Independence Day that we will continue to fight against dictatorship till our last breath.”
Congress leader Pawan Khera suffered another legal setback on Friday after the Supreme Court of India declined to extend protection in a case linked to his remarks about Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife.
A bench of the apex court refused to interfere with an earlier order that had stayed the transit anticipatory bail granted to Khera by the Telangana High Court. This decision leaves the Congress leader open to possible arrest by Assam Police in connection with the case.
During the hearing, Khera’s counsel sought interim protection, but the court declined the request and advised him to approach the appropriate court in Assam for relief. The bench clarified that the Guwahati High Court should decide any bail plea independently and on its merits.
“Am I a terrorist?” remark during hearing
While seeking protection, Khera’s legal team expressed concern over the urgency of the situation. In court, his counsel remarked, “Am I a terrorist?” highlighting the plea for temporary relief until a fresh bail application could be filed.
The Supreme Court also raised concerns over the submission of incorrect documents during the proceedings, adding another layer to the legal complications faced by the Congress leader.
Case linked to remarks on CM’s wife
The case stems from a press conference held earlier this month, where Khera made allegations regarding the citizenship status and financial assets of the Assam Chief Minister’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma.
He had claimed that she possessed multiple passports and owned undisclosed overseas properties. These allegations were strongly denied by the Chief Minister’s family, who termed them fabricated and misleading.
Legal battle intensifies
Earlier, the Telangana High Court had granted Khera temporary transit anticipatory bail, allowing him time to seek relief from a competent court in Assam. However, the Supreme Court stayed that order following a challenge by Assam authorities, escalating the legal battle.
With the latest ruling, Khera is now expected to move the Guwahati High Court for anticipatory bail as the case continues to unfold.
The Congress has suspended five of its MLAs in Haryana for cross-voting during the recent Rajya Sabha elections, taking disciplinary action over what it described as “anti-party activities”.
The move came after the state unit reviewed the conduct of certain legislators during the polls, where some were found to have voted against the party’s authorised candidate.
Five MLAs suspended after disciplinary process
According to party sources, the MLAs were issued show-cause notices seeking an explanation for their actions. After reviewing their responses, the Congress disciplinary committee recommended suspension.
The decision was approved by the party leadership, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and has been implemented with immediate effect.
Party calls it ‘grave indiscipline’
Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan said the action was necessary to uphold party discipline, stressing that defying the official party line during elections weakens organisational unity.
He said the party takes such violations seriously and will continue to act against any form of indiscipline.
Leadership backs strict action
Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda supported the decision, saying it was taken after due consideration.
He noted that while Rajya Sabha elections are conducted through an open ballot system, allowing legislators some flexibility, the party retains the authority to initiate internal disciplinary action in cases of deviation.
Background
The action follows cross-voting reported during the recent Rajya Sabha elections in Haryana, which led to internal concerns within the party. The development has highlighted organisational challenges and prompted the leadership to take corrective steps to reinforce discipline.
Former Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh is set to be re-elected to the same post unopposed in the election due to be held later today. The date has been fixed by the Chairman under the relevant rules governing the conduct of business in the Upper House. According to sources, the deadline for submitting motions for the election was 12 noon on April 16. A total of five notices were received within the stipulated time, all proposing Harivansh for the post.
Multiple nominations, single candidate The motions were submitted by members across parties, including Jagat Prakash Nadda, Nitin Nabin, Nirmala Sitharaman, Sanjay Kumar Jha, and Jayant Chaudhary, each backed by seconding members. All five motions explicitly state that Harivansh be chosen as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
No opposition nomination filed
Notably, no motion was submitted by the Opposition before the deadline. This effectively clears the path for a unanimous election, as there is no contest for the position. As per parliamentary procedure, motions will be taken up one by one. Once any one motion is adopted by the House, the remaining motions will not be put to vote.
Likely to be elected by voice vote In line with established practice, the first motion — expected to be moved by Nadda — may be adopted through a voice vote. Following this, the Chairman will formally declare Harivansh as elected Deputy Chairman. After the declaration, Harivansh will be escorted to the Chair by members from both the Treasury and Opposition benches, adhering to parliamentary convention.
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