On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his 12th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort, surpassing former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s record of 11. During his speech, he celebrated India’s unity and progress, highlighting the abrogation of Article 370, which he stated brought the “One Nation, One Constitution” mantra to life.
“When we brought the mantra of one country, one constitution to life by demolishing the wall of Article 370… we revered Shyama Prasad Mookherjee,” PM Modi said. He also noted that this year marks the 125th birth anniversary of Shyama Prasad Mookherjee, the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the predecessor to the BJP. PM Modi praised Mookherjee’s “lasting impact on India’s political, educational, and cultural fabric,” calling him “the first person to give his life for India’s Constitution.”
The Prime Minister spoke about the “Har Ghar Tiranga” campaign, mentioning how over 140 crore Indians are “carrying the colours of tricolor,” with the national flag seen everywhere from the Himalayan peaks to densely populated cities.
This year’s celebrations will also honor Operation Sindoor, with its logo displayed at Gyanpath and a series of band performances by various armed forces and police bands taking place at over 140 locations across the country to celebrate the operation’s success.
