Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan calls for unity against communal forces dividing India

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday warned that communal forces are intensifying their efforts to undermine the idea of India and called for collective unity to counter such attempts.

Speaking at the Central Stadium after unfurling the national flag on the occasion of India’s 79th Independence Day, Pinarayi Vijayan said,

He noted that, barring a brief period, India has upheld democracy since independence, an achievement made more remarkable given that some neighbouring countries have experienced military or puppet regimes. Chief Minister also highlighted attempts in some countries to establish religious states, alongside external imperialist pressures threatening national sovereignty and unity.

Despite these challenges, he said India has progressed significantly over the past 78 years, although several social issues remain unresolved. Pinarayi Vijayan paid tribute to freedom fighters, emphasising that their sacrifices aimed at building an India free of poverty, starvation, child labour, illiteracy, communal hatred, and unemployment.

“Have we fully realized their vision? Not yet. While the country has made notable progress and earned global recognition, much remains to be done,” He said, urging citizens to recommit themselves to building the India envisioned by freedom fighters.

He stressed that constitutional values such as freedom, democracy, secularism, and socialism are not mere principles to discuss, they must be actively implemented.

Turning to Kerala’s development, the he said efforts are underway to foster a scientific and innovative society, while strengthening public welfare and development. “We must pledge to eradicate poverty and work toward a Kerala and India that we can all be proud of,” he added.

Following the flag hoisting, Vijayan inspected paramilitary contingents lined up for the Independence Day parade.

Elsewhere in the state, celebrations were led by Kerala ministers in respective districts. In Kollam, General Education Minister V Sivankutty emphasised the constitutional values reflected in the preamble of the Indian Constitution. In Kasaragod, Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty stressed the need for vigilance against threats to socialism, secularism, federalism, and democracy.