80th I-Day LIVE | Congress hits back at PM Modi over 'dimaagi Naxals' attack

Putin hails India-Russia ties in Independence Day message

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent Independence Day greetings to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praising India's "remarkable progress" and its standing abroad.

In a message shared by Russia's Foreign Ministry, Putin said, "Your country is making remarkable progress in the economic, social, scientific and technological spheres, and rightfully commands considerable authority in the international arena."

"Russia-India relations are developing successfully in the spirit of a particularly privileged strategic partnership," he added.

"Moscow and New Delhi are engaged in fruitful cooperation across a wide range of areas and coordinate closely within the framework of the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS, and other multilateral institutions," said Putin.

The message comes as India and Russia discuss cooperation on the Northern Sea Route. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "With Russia, we have a multi-faceted cooperation of which connectivity is an important part. We have discussions with them on this particular issue as well. So this is something that is ongoing."

New Delhi sees the Arctic route as another link alongside the International North-South Transport Corridor and Chennai-Vladivostok route, while Modi has backed further work on Arctic shipping and sailor training.

BJP, RSS spread hatred, divide people: Kharge in I-Day address

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday accused the BJP-RSS of spreading hatred, dividing people and disturbing peace in the country, and said the Congress, which is “opening 'mohabbat ki dukaan',” wants to maintain peace and unity in society.

Addressing party leaders and workers after unfurling the national flag at the party headquarters at Indira Bhawan, Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of taking credit for everything the Congress did after Independence by changing names of schemes, and feared that one day he might also try to bring our national flag down.

He said Independence Day is not merely a day to commemorate the freedom struggle but also an opportunity for introspection on the extent to which India realised the dreams of our freedom fighters.

The 80th Independence Day function was attended by Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and several other senior party leaders.

Kharge said the Congress’ tradition has always been that each of its prime ministers, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Rajiv Gandhi and Manmohan Singh, advanced India according to the challenges of their time and laid the foundation for a future India.

“But today the question is, what is happening to those young people whom we showed the dream of standing tall with pride in the 21st century? "Today, the dreams of the youth are being crushed. The government's wrong policies have pushed them into such a dark alley that youth 'andolans' are taking place across the country.

“We stand with these youth and support them. We are not silent and have always supported good work. Our task is to take the youth, poor and oppressed forward,” he said.

BJP accuses Kerala govt of ‘bowing to pressure’ over omission of Vande Mataram

A political row erupted in Kerala on Saturday after Vande Mataram was not included in the state government's Independence Day function, with the BJP accusing the Congress-led UDF government of "yielding to pressure from extremist organisations." The BJP said it would launch a legal and political battle against the government over what it termed an "unconstitutional act".

BJP leader Shone George told reporters that people in Kerala had witnessed "with sorrow" Chief Minister V D Satheesan "surrendering to the dictate of Jamaat-e-Islami".

"We were convinced of this. Because this is not new—for the past one year, the CM has had an illicit relationship with Jamaat-e-Islami and anti-India forces, both openly and covertly in Kerala," he alleged.

George said the BJP had expected Vande Mataram to be sung at the official function and alleged that the CM had failed to show "basic courtesy" by doing so. He referred to guidelines issued by the General Education Department and claimed they stated that singing Vande Mataram was not mandatory. "I haven't received the order, but if an official has issued such an order, make no mistake, that official will face consequences," he said.

George said the BJP would take a strong stand against anyone who took a position that "insults the patriotic song of this nation." "Today, at this very time, we are raising our national flag while singing Vande Mataram at 15,000 centres across Kerala," he said. He urged the CM to respect the federal system and remember that Kerala was part of India.

BJP claims Sonia 'objected' to full version of Vande Mataram at event, Cong denies charge

The BJP on Saturday accused Congress leader Sonia Gandhi of objecting to the singing of the full version of Vande Mataram at the party's Independence Day event, even as the opposition party denied the charge.

The Congress asserted that there was no attempt to stop the singing of the full version of the national song and Gandhi was only asking for a chair for party chief Mallikarjun Kharge as he was standing for a while.

Sharing video footage of the Congress's event on X, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh said, "Mother, son and national president (of the Congress) seem to be upset by the rendering of full Vande Mataram." Certain mindsets never change from pre 1947 to post 1947, the senior BJP leader added.

The Congress denied that there was any attempt to stop the singing of the full version of Vande Mataram, asserting that Gandhi was only asking for a chair for Kharge.

Asked about the row, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "On October 28, 1937, in Calcutta, a meeting of the Congress Working Committee was held in the presence of Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Govind Ballabh Pant and C Rajagopalachari, and on the advice of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, they decided that the initial stanzas of Vande Mataram would be sung at the Congress sessions." Tagore gave the advice to Nehru and Bose that the first few paragraphs of Vande Mataram should be used, he said.

"We have been singing those lines in every session since them, our Seva Dal sings it, our workers sing it, there is no controversy over that," Ramesh said. He asserted that the full version of the national song was sung on Saturday.

PM Modi an ‘extraordinary phenomenon’ in making promises: CPI(M) gen secy

CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his Independence Day speech, saying he was an "extraordinary phenomenon" when it came to making promises, and questioned what happened to his earlier commitment to provide two crore jobs annually.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Baby said Modi had targeted the youth by announcing that free AI training would be provided to one crore young people. "He had previously promised to provide two crore jobs per year, and he needs to clarify what happened to that promise. The Prime Minister is an extraordinary phenomenon when it comes to showering promises, but the experience of Indians is that none of those promises are ever kept," he said.

Baby said replacing the Modi government, which he alleged failed to keep its word, was essential to make freedom meaningful for India. "The CPI(M) position is that the Communist Party, in cooperation with other parties, will dedicate itself to this duty," he said.

On Prime Minister's appeal for political parties to come forward in support of women's reservation, Baby alleged that the BJP and RSS had devised a plan to link women's reservation with delimitation. He alleged that the proposed delimitation could involve "gerrymandering" by identifying the concentration of different social groups among voters and redistributing them across constituencies to prevent them from collectively exercising their vote.

‘Mere pyare deshwashiyon’: PM Modi’s most preferred address in I-Day speech

‘Mere pyare deshwasiyon’ (My beloved fellow citizens) was the most preferred address used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 13th Independence Day speech on Saturday, with nearly 40 mentions, followed by ‘sathiyon’ (friends) being mentioned 10 times.

He also used ‘mere pyare yuva’ (my beloved youth) once while calling upon them to join in freeing the country from drugs and other addictions.

During his speech, Modi mentioned ‘desh sevak’ (those who serve the nation) and ‘bhai beheno’ (brother and sister) once each.

Over the years, ‘deshwashiyon’ (fellow citizens) has been Modi’s go-to term to address the nation during his Independence Day speech.

For instance, last year, the term was mentioned 50 times; in 2024, about 30; in 2023, nearly 15; and in 2022, over 40. In 2023, Modi’s most preferred address was ‘parivaarjan’ (family member), with about 50 mentions.

‘Sathiyon’ (friends) has also been a regular fixture in his Independence Day speeches in recent years. In 2025, Modi used it to address the country around 35 times; in 2024, nearly 30; in 2023, about five; and in 2022, approximately eight. 

PM Modi puts youth at the centre of the 80th Independence Day speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi placed India’s young population at the centre of his 80th Independence Day address, announcing free online coaching, an artificial intelligence skills programme, a nationwide sports talent hunt and changes to civil defence.

He referred to young Indians 52 times during the 75-minute speech, calling them “yuva shakti”, “naujawan” and “saathiyon”.

PM Modi said free coaching would ease the financial pressure on families preparing for competitive examinations. “Coaching classes burden the poor and the middle class. We will provide free online coaching for various exams,” he said.

He also announced plans to train one crore young people in AI skills over the next year.

Sports featured prominently. “We are launching a nationwide talent hunt for children aged 5 to 15 to identify prospects in every corner of the country,” PM Modi said.

He urged young people to join a 100-day campaign against drug addiction and spoke about opportunities in manufacturing, semiconductors, space and nuclear power.

Nepal PM Balendra Shah Shah Greets Modi, India on Independence Day

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah has sent Independence Day greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India, as Kathmandu seeks closer economic and connectivity ties with its southern neighbour.

“On the occasion of India's 80th Independence Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to PM @narendramodi and the friendly people and Government of India,” Shah’s office said in a post on X.

The message followed Shah’s August 10 meeting with Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava, his first one-on-one discussion with a foreign diplomat since taking office.

“May the deep historical ties, close people-to-people relations and cooperation between Nepal and India continue to strengthen in the years ahead,” Shah said.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal also conveyed greetings to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, calling the countries’ relationship rooted in history and close people-to-people ties.

Jaishankar thanked Khanal for his wishes. India remains Nepal’s largest trading partner and a major investor, with their open border sustaining deep family and social connections.

Congress accuses PM Modi of misleading women’s reservation pitch

Congress accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making a dishonest pitch for women’s reservation. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed in September 2023, but did not apply in the 2024 elections. Party MP Jairam Ramesh said reservation should begin in 2029 within 543 seats. He cited Rajiv Gandhi’s role. Earlier in the day PM Modi urged parties to back 33 per cent reservation in Parliament and Assemblies.

"The PM made a dishonest pitch for women’s reservation in his address at the Red Fort today. He should know that the Parliament unanimously passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in September 2023 - but it was the double-faced hypocrisy of the Modi Government that made sure it won’t come into effect from the 2024 elections itself," said Ramesh. 

"The Prime Minister should remember that women’s reservation was introduced in the Constitution by the 73rd and 74th amendments passed in 1993, and that it was the vision and determination of Shri Rajiv Gandhi that made it happen," he added.

BJP targets Rahul over absence from Red Fort event

The BJP on Saturday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for not attending the official Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort, accusing him of displaying an outlook associated with what it described as the "Dimagi Naxal" ecosystem.

The event was attended by senior Union ministers, including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office were also present.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari questioned Rahul’s absence in a post on X, saying, "Rahul Gandhi misses being present at Red Fort. Can any patriotic LOP (Leader of Opposition), or an individual holding public office, commit such a voluntary act?"

He further alleged that the absence showed disrespect towards Vande Mataram.

"Rahul Gandhi is unfit to be LoP. Rahul Gandhi's mindset reflects that of a 'Dimagi Naxal' ecosystem!" Bhandari charged.

Rahul and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge have now missed the ceremony for the second consecutive year.