In his maiden Independence Day address as Chief Minister, Vijay paid rich tributes to the freedom fighters, both famous and unnamed, who sacrificed their property and even their lives for India’s independence.
In his first I-Day speech, TN CM Vijay indirectly attacks Centre, thanks Gen Z
Hoisting the national flag at Fort St George, Vijay pays tribute to freedom fighters, thanks Tamil people and Gen Z for their support, draws a line on TN’s rights, and unveils several welfare and governance measures
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Saturday (August 15) hoisted the national flag at the historic Fort St George (State Secretariat) in Chennai on the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day. The event marked the first time Vijay, leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), performed the ceremonial flag-hoisting as the state’s top executive.
Vijay appeared visibly emotional while inspecting the contingent of soldiers and glancing towards the gallery where his parents, actress Trisha Krishnan, ministers, and other dignitaries were seated.
In his maiden Independence Day address as chief minister, Vijay paid rich tributes to the freedom fighters, both famous and unnamed, who sacrificed their property and even their lives for India’s independence.
“I offer my heroic salutations personally to each one of them,” he said.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay inspects the parade at the Independence Day celebrations.
‘True freedom’
He underscored the fact that true freedom emerges only when people unite after realising they are being treated as slaves.
“In that unity, caste, religion, language, and ethnicity all break and shatter. Only there is real freedom achieved. That is the freedom we received under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi on this very day, August 15, in 1947.”
Vijay declared that protecting Tamil Nadu from bribery and corruption was itself equivalent to a great liberation.
“Our government is working precisely towards that goal,” he said, framing the fight against graft as a continuation of the freedom struggle.
Thanks Tamil people, ‘Gen Z young comrades’
The Chief Minister thanked the Tamil people across the world, the people of Tamil Nadu, and the “Gen Z young comrades” for giving him the opportunity to hoist the national flag at the 386-year-old fort on the 80th Independence Day and to deliver the address.
“My heartfelt gratitude to all of you,” he said, highlighting the overwhelming support that transcended caste and religious barriers and rejected money and muscle power to establish a people-centric, social-justice government.
Rooting his administration in the principle “birth is equal for all living beings”, Vijay said the TVK government was building a transparent, truthful, and honest administration free from bribery, devoid of drug culture, ensuring women’s safety, and grounded in social justice.
“There should be no compromise in public life. People’s welfare is the most important thing. That is the basis on which the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government is functioning.”
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While assuring administrative cooperation with the Central government on schemes beneficial to the people, Vijay drew a clear red line.
“But when it comes to Tamil Nadu’s policies, whether decisions are against state rights or against Tamil Nadu, the TVK government will always oppose them.”
The remarks were widely seen as an indirect attack on the Centre over perceived anti-state measures and a subtle dig at the previous DMK regime by emphasising a clean break while selectively continuing only useful schemes of the past.
He announced that beneficial schemes introduced earlier would continue and be strengthened. The Amma Unavagam (canteen) scheme launched by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa is being refined and continued. The breakfast scheme is being expanded from Classes 6 to 8 and will be inaugurated on September 17, Periyar’s birth anniversary.
3 months' achievements
Listing the achievements of his three-month-old government, Vijay said farm crop loans worth Rs 5,093.23 crore had been waived. On September 15 (Anna’s birth anniversary), the Thaaimaman Thanga Mothiram (gold ring) scheme worth Rs 755.83 crore would be launched.
Three hundred new buses worth Rs 127.21 crore had been introduced for public transport. In the first phase aimed at reducing liquor consumption, 717 TASMAC shops had been closed.
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He detailed steps towards transparent governance: computerised administration using modern technology, introduction of unmanned (paperless) document registration for the first time, online uploading of surveyed temple lands for public view, delivery of all revenue certificates within 15 days, a new WhatsApp number for reporting bribery, blocking of personal siphoning of government revenue, and continuous action against corruption across departments.
Vijay said law and order are being strictly monitored, and that instructions were issued at the District Collectors and Superintendents of Police conference (June 29-30) for stringent action. He stressed that government offices and police stations must function as genuine public service centres; citizens approaching them must be treated with dignity, kindness, and without being made to run around.
‘People are the rulers’
The chief minister called upon the people not to withdraw after the elections.
“Only if you remain firmly with us can I implement all the good schemes meant for you. The Chief Minister’s post is only the representative of eight crore people. People are the rulers. I and everyone else are your servants. Come, let us all perform our duty together. We will defeat the forces and conspiracies against our government. When all of you are with us, what worry do I have? Let us move only towards the good.”
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He pledged to make Tamil Nadu a model state for India and to raise the state’s economy to USD 1.5 trillion by 2036, matching developed nations, in partnership with the people.
Welfare measures for veterans, freedom fighters’ families
Announcing a series of welfare measures focused on veterans and freedom fighters’ families, Vijay said government orders had already been issued for the following:
- Marriage assistance for two daughters of ex-servicemen raised from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000.
- Monthly financial assistance for differently-abled ex-servicemen and their dependents increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000.
- Monthly pension for freedom fighters raised to Rs 23,000.
- Family pension for freedom fighters’ families raised to Rs 12,500.
- Special monthly pension for descendants of Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Muthuramalinga Vijaya Raghunatha Sethupathi, the Marudu brothers, and VO Chidambaram Pillai raised to Rs 11,500.
Reiterating the mission for a corruption-free Tamil Nadu, Vijay appealed to officials and the public to develop zero tolerance towards corruption.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay hoisting the national flag on the occasion of India's 80th Independence Day.
CM Vijay presents awards
Chief Minister Vijay presented several awards on the occasion including Thagaisaal Thamizhar Award to senior Congress leader Krishnasamy, Abdul Kalam Award to diabetes specialist Dr V Mohan, Kalpana Chawla Award to Coimbatore’s Navsheen Banu Sandhu, and the Tamil Nadu Government Award for outstanding service to the differently-abled to Dr Thirunavukkarasu, Director of the Government Rehabilitation Hospital, among others.
Trisha's presence
The presence of actress Trisha at the event has become a major talking point, particularly in light of reports that Chief Minister Vijay’s wife Sangeetha had recently withdrawn her divorce petition. Trisha was among the prominent guests at the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Fort St George, where she was seated in the VIP gallery alongside Vijay’s father SA Chandrasekhar and state ministers.
