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.”
DMK leader’s son arrested after car rams family in Krishnagiri, one dead
A 20-year-old son of a DMK leader has been arrested for allegedly driving a car into four members of a family in Krishnagiri, killing assistant labour inspector Sivamoorthy.
A 20-year-old son of a leader from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has been arrested for allegedly mowing down four members of a family following a heated argument in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district. One person died in the incident, police said.
The deceased has been identified as Sivamoorthy, an assistant labour inspector and a resident of Krishnagiri. According to the police, the incident occurred outside his residence after the accused, identified as Adithya, objected to a two-wheeler parked on the road.
Police said Adithya was driving the car and began honking as the two-wheeler was blocking the road. Sivamoorthy and his family members reportedly stepped out to move the vehicle. During the exchange that followed, an altercation broke out.
Investigators allege that Adithya then rammed his car into Sivamoorthy, his son Kirubakaran, daughter-in-law Amsavalli and granddaughter Nilani. Sivamoorthy sustained severe injuries and later succumbed. The others were injured in the incident.
Besides Adithya, two of his friends — Rithik Kumar and Harish — who were present in the car at the time, have also been arrested. A case of murder has been registered against the trio and further investigation is underway.
Kirubakaran, recounting the incident, said the family had attempted to move the parked two-wheeler when the accused damaged it. He alleged that the men appeared intoxicated and tried to assault them with a stick before the vehicle was driven into the family.
Amsavalli said they had tried to defuse the situation peacefully but the confrontation turned violent, resulting in her father-in-law’s death and injuries to her child.
A police officer stated that Adithya’s father is a local functionary of the DMK in Krishnagiri district. The victim’s family has demanded strict action in the case.
Reacting to the incident, state BJP chief Nainar Nagendran criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, questioning the state government over the episode and alleging that party functionaries were misusing their influence.
Security tightened across Delhi metro stations after bomb threat emails
Delhi is on high alert after bomb threat emails targeted metro stations, the Red Fort and the Assembly. Authorities confirmed the threats were hoaxes but tightened security as a precaution.
Security has been intensified across all metro stations and major installations in the national capital after a series of bomb threat emails were received on Monday. Authorities later confirmed that the threats were hoaxes following detailed inspections by security agencies.
According to officials, several key institutions — including the Delhi Secretariat, Delhi Assembly, the Red Fort and two schools — received threatening emails earlier in the day. Extensive searches were carried out at all the locations mentioned in the messages, but nothing suspicious was found.
A senior police officer said cyber teams are working to trace the origin of the emails. Preliminary findings suggest that the senders may have used Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in an attempt to conceal their identities and mislead investigators. Officials expressed confidence that those responsible would be identified.
Metro stations under heightened surveillance
Following specific references to metro services in the emails, security arrangements were strengthened across the entire network of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Additional personnel have been deployed at stations, and anti-sabotage checks are being conducted.
Police said random frisking of passengers and intensified CCTV surveillance are being carried out as part of precautionary measures. Bomb disposal squads and dog squads were stationed at sensitive sites, including the Red Fort, Delhi Secretariat and the Assembly complex.
The threatening emails reportedly included the slogan “Delhi banega Khalistan” and warned of explosions at an Army school, the Assembly and the Red Fort at specific times during the day. Officials stated that all mentioned locations were thoroughly checked and declared safe.
Authorities also coordinated with counterparts in neighbouring states to enhance security at metro stations falling under their jurisdictions.
While no explosives were found, officials said the tightened security arrangements will remain in place as a precaution. Cyber teams continue efforts to trace the IP addresses and identify those behind the threat emails.
Tension gripped the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University in the early hours of Monday after a protest march allegedly spiralled into violence, with rival student groups accusing each other of triggering the unrest.
Students claimed that the incident occurred around 1.30 am when a confrontation broke out during a march called by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union. The protest, named “Samta Juloos”, was headed towards the East Gate and was organised to demand the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the withdrawal of a rustication order.
According to protesters, several students were injured after alleged stone-throwing during the clash. They alleged that the university administration did not intervene during the march and instead permitted members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad to confront demonstrators.
However, the ABVP denied the allegations and countered that Left-affiliated organisations instigated the confrontation and were spreading misinformation about the events.
Left-backed groups, including the All India Students’ Association, claimed that ABVP activists targeted the JNUSU encampment and hurled stones at “unarmed students”, leading to multiple injuries.
Videos shared by students on social media reportedly showed chaotic scenes near the protest site, with members of rival groups engaged in heated exchanges and physical scuffles.
University authorities did not immediately respond to queries regarding the incident. Students said the situation on campus remained tense following the overnight clashes.
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