In Independence Day speech, Kerala CM warns against communalism, calls for open-minded democracy

Democracy is not about creating “a single type of human being in a monoculture plantation”, nurturing one language, one belief, and one lifestyle. Nor is it about creating islets of hatred and darkness of communalism that fear anything different, Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has said.

Addressing the State after hoisting the national flag at the Independence Day celebrations at Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday (August 15, 2026), Mr. Satheesan called upon people to become “guardians and fighters of a strong democracy founded on open-mindedness, tolerance, debate, self-correction and innovation.”

“That is the biggest salute to the great heroes of our freedom struggle, including Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Gopal Krishna Gokhale,” he said.

Ceremonial parade marking the Independence Day celebrations at Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday
| Photo Credit:
Nirmal Harindran

Notably, ‘Vande Mataram’ was not sung at the function despite the Union government’s direction to sing the national song.

Referring to the alleged incident in which a purification ritual was reportedly performed by right-wing groups at a rally venue in Uttarakhand soon after a senior Congress leader addressed a gathering there, Mr. Satheesan said even “a prominent national leader”, who had spent decades in politics and held constitutional positions, was being insulted on the grounds of caste and untouchability.

Wondering what message such incidents send to the country, he said India had come a long way and should not return to those “dark times.”

“If such attempts are made, it is our duty and responsibility to oppose them to the hilt. Each of us must work with utmost care and caution to protect our Constitution and the fundamental principles it guarantees,” he said. “This is the time when we must stand together, without compromise, for constitutional principles and the unity, integrity and secularism of India,” he said.

Mr. Satheesan, who began his Independence Day address by remembering those who lost their lives in the recent landslips and floods in the State, also called upon people to pledge themselves to building “a new-era Kerala”, stressing the need to move forward with compassion, tolerance, constitutional values and progressive development.

“The time also demands from us a development model that is in harmony with nature and takes climate change into account. We must work tirelessly towards this. We must move forward together, shoulder to shoulder, giving up caste, religious and gender discrimination, political blindness and hatred. This should be our pledge on this sacred dawn of independence,” he said.

From education and healthcare to secularism, literacy, tolerance and political consciousness, Kerala has emerged as a model for the country, Mr. Satheesan said. “Our efforts to build a new-era Kerala should uphold these achievements. Secularism, democratic consciousness and equality are our strengths and pillars. Let us pledge on this Independence Day that we will not compromise on them,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Minister reviewed the parade by various contingents and received the salute from marching personnel of the police, NCC, NSS, Bharat Scouts and Guides, and Student Police Cadets. He also distributed various police and bravery awards during the function.