Ethnic, caste divisions cast dark shadow over our nation: Kerala CM Vijayan

Extending Independence Day wishes to the people of the country, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday (August 15) said as the nation celebrates its 77th Independence Day, instances of caste and ethnic divisions have cast a shadow over the republic and injured its secular nature.

In a Facebook post, Vijayan contended that even federal values have been subverted. In such a situation, every citizen ought to renew their pledge to preserve the nation's secular character and its federal values, he urged.

Also read: Attingal Rebellion of 1721: Kerala’s first organised revolt against British rule 

The chief minister, in a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, also extended Independence Day wishes to everyone. “Our freedom movement wasn't just about breaking chains; it was about forging a diverse and inclusive India. On this #IndependenceDay, let’s uphold our nation’s secular and democratic ideals, and ensure these values remain at the core of our nationhood. Happy Independence Day!” Vijayan said in his tweet.

In his Facebook post, the chief minister said that India’s independence from colonial rule was achieved through the strong united struggle by many patriots, including brave martyrs, regardless of caste, religion, language and dress. He said that India's constitutional democracy was a product of this freedom struggle and the anti-imperial democratic views of the independence movement were the ideas that shaped the country.

Also read: India’s Struggle for Independence: Untold stories and forgotten threads from the South 

Vijayan further said both the federal system and the linguistic states arose out of the values imparted by the national freedom movement, which was based on the firm belief that the cornerstone of an independent India would be secularism.

“But today, there is a situation where caste and ethnic divisions have cast a dark shadow over the republic in such a way as to injure secularism. Federal principles are also largely subverted,” Vijayan said. “In this context, each of us is duty bound to preserve the secular character of the country and protect the federal values. We need to renew this pledge on the 77th Independence Day,” he added.

(With agency inputs)