“Freedom is not just a word, it is our shield,” says Rahul in his 1st day greetings to the country.

“Freedom is not just a word, it is our shield,” says Rahul in his 1st day greetings to the country.

New Delhi: Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday stressed in his message to the country on Independence Day that freedom is more than just a word and is “our biggest shield”.

The former Congress president wrote to X: “Happy Independence Day to all countrymen. For us, freedom is not just a word – it is our greatest shield, interwoven with constitutional and democratic values. It is the power of expression, the ability to speak the truth and the hope to fulfil dreams. Jai Hind!”

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said on the occasion of Independence Day: “Democracy and the Constitution are our biggest shield.”

“We remember the sacrifices of millions of our great freedom fighters and pay them our respects.

Democracy and the Constitution are the biggest shield for our 1.4 million Indians. We will defend them till our last breath. The opposition is like the oxygen of democracy. It not only works to stop the unconstitutional attitude of the government but also raises the concerns of the public.

It is worrying that constitutional and autonomous institutions have been turned into puppets of the government,” Kharge wrote on X.

The Congress president further said, “The dream of our freedom fighters was to maintain unity in diversity. But some forces are trying to destroy our brotherhood by forcibly imposing their views on the country. Therefore, it is important that we all remain conscious of the freedom granted under the Constitution in terms of expression, life, eating habits, dress, mode of worship and freedom to move anywhere.

“As the leader of the Congress Party, I want to assure all the countrymen that we will continue to fight against unemployment, inflation, poverty, corruption and inequality. Be ready to make any sacrifice to protect the Constitution. This will be the true homage to our ancestors. Jai Hind!” he added.

Earlier on Thursday, Kharge had hoisted the tricolour outside the Congress headquarters. Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi and some senior party leaders were also present.

Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra posted on X: “Freedom, democracy, justice, equality and mutual unity are our national resolve. These values ​​are the foundation of our Constitution and protecting them is our highest duty towards the country. Our resolve to protect our freedom, the Constitution and its principles is firm. Jai Bharat! Jai Hind!”

India celebrated its 78th Independence Day on Thursday.

Two months into his third term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag on the ramparts of the Red Fort on Thursday morning.

In his address to the nation, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the central government’s vision of making India a developed country by 2047.