Here are the highlights of the Independence Day celebrations across the five South Indian states.
Published Aug 15, 2022 | 1:36 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 15, 2022 | 6:00 PM
(From left) Karnataka Chief Minister BS Bommai, Telangana's K Chandrashekar Rao, Andhra Pradesh's YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Kerala's Pinarayi Vijayan, and Tamil Nadu's MK Stalin at the 76th Independence Day celebrations in their respective states on Monday, 15 August, 2022. (Supplied)
After two years of battling the pandemic, the nation is celebrating its Independence Day with large gatherings at various locations. South Indian states are celebrating the 76th Independence Day — marking 75 years of independence — with significant participation from the public.
The Tricolour was hoisted in all the capital cities in South India by the respective chief ministers of the states. They also received the guard of honour from the concerned police departments.
The chief ministers of Kerala and Tamil Nadu asserted the importance of unity in diversity in their Independence Day speeches.
Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao accused the Union government of diluting the federal spirit and insulting the welfare schemes by calling them “freebies”, a point he has already made elsewhere.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan at the Independence Day celebrations. (Supplied)
Independence Day celebrations kicked off in Kerala after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hoisted the flag at 9 am in the central stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The celebration was held under tight security as 500 police personnel were deployed to guard the event. Unlike the last two years, hundreds of people gathered at the stadium to witness the event.
Vijayan in his Independence Day speech emphasised the importance of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) in the development of Kerala. He also opined that the “Rebuild Kerala” project would aim to help the state recover from the losses of the disastrous floods of 2018.
Speaking on secularism, he said: “The Indian freedom struggle was a people’s movement that included all religious and non-religious people. It was on the strength of this movement; the basic values of secularism were added to the Constitution. Any action taken, forgetting this reality, is against the dreams of those who fought for the country.”
Various ministers hoisted the flag in all the 14 districts of Kerala. Assembly Speaker MB Rajesh hoisted the flag on the Assembly premises along with Deputy Speaker Chittayam Gopakumar. They also garlanded the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, BR Ambedkar, and Jawaharlal Nehru.
Tamil Nadu Chief MK Stalin receives guard of honour in Chennai. (CMOTamilnadu/Twitter)
Tamil Nadu’s I-Day celebrations were held at Fort St George in Chennai.
Chief Minister MK Stalin hoisted the national flag, and said in his speech that an Independence Day Museum would be set up in Chennai to highlight the state’s contributions to the freedom movement.
He said in his speech that Tamil Nadu gave the first call for independence in the country, and recalled Periyar’s demand for giving India the name Gandhi Desam before he was assassinated by religious fundamentalists.
Freedom fighter and veteran CPI leader R Nallakannu received the Thagaisal Thamizhar award from Stalin. He donated the entire award amount of ₹10 lakh as well as ₹5,000 from his own savings to the Chief Minister Public Relief Fund.
Like Vijayan, Stalin also asserted the need for unity among diversity in the country.
Reminiscing of how former Tamil Nadu chief ministers like Annadurai and M Karunanidhi extended unconditional support to the Union government during times of strife, he said: “Despite the differences, only if we stay united will India progress.”
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai celebrates Independence Day in Bengaluru. (CMofKarnataka/Twitter)
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai delivered the I-Day speech and hoisted the national flag at the Maneckshaw Parade Ground in Bengaluru.
In a historic moment, the Indian flag was also hoisted at the Chamrajpet Edigah Maidan on Monday. It was the first time that the Tricolour was hoisted at the historic Eidgah maidan. The event also witnessed renditions of the National Anthem and the Naada Geete.
Chamrajpet MLA and former minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan as well as Member of Parliament PC Mohan were present on the occasion. Students presented patriotic songs and a cultural event at the maidan.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy celebrates Independence Day. (AndhraPradeshCM/Twitter)
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy hoisted the national flag during the Independence Day celebrations at the IGMC Stadium in Vijayawada.
The stadium was specially decked up with national flags. A colourful march-past by various contingents and tableaux highlighting the various welfare and development schemes of the state government marked the occasion.
In his speech, Reddy recalled that it was a Telugu man — Pingali Venkayya — who designed the national flag.
On the country’s 76th Independence Day, the state government issued orders to release 175 life-term convicts serving their sentences in various jails across the state.
Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao delivers his Independence Day speech in Hyderabad. (TelanganaCMO/Twitter)
Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao hoisted the national flag at Pragati Bhavan on the 76th Independence Day as part of the Swadantar Bharat Vajrotsava celebration.
He also took part in Independence Day celebrations at Golconda Fort in Hyderabad.
Rao in his speech alleged that the Central government was against the federal spirit and was centralising all the powers. He also accused the Union government of diluting the federal spirit and insulting the welfare schemes by calling them “freebies”.
The chief minister added that a disconcerting trend happening in the country was that of the Union government making laws on subjects in the concurrent lists without consulting the states.
He pointed out that the Centre tried to bring farm laws in this fashion, but farmers resisted the move despite severe pressure unleashed on them.
According to him, the Union government had made a mockery of the Constitution, which defines India as a Union of States.
Rao cited the Centre’s decisions of cutting Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) loans, and said that it was conspiring to financially destabilise states.
