Indian Leaders Mark 80th Independence Day with State Addresses

India marked its 80th Independence Day on August 15, 2026, with celebrations across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the National Flag at the Red Fort in New Delhi, accompanied by a 21-gun salute from the 1721 Field Battery.

In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed citizens at the Vidhan Bhawan in Lucknow. He stated that safeguarding national freedom is a collective duty for all 140 crore citizens regardless of caste or community. Adityanath argued that true freedom requires the eradication of poverty, illiteracy, and inequality, noting that 25 crore people have been lifted out of multidimensional poverty.

In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay delivered his first Independence Day address after hoisting the flag at the state Secretariat in Chennai. Vijay emphasized the elimination of caste and religious differences to achieve true freedom and pledged to maintain an administration free from bribery and corruption. He reported that his government has waived farmers' crop loans and closed 717 TASMAC liquor shops in the three months since taking power.

Vijay announced increased monthly assistance for freedom fighters to Rs 23,000 and for differently-abled ex-servicemen to Rs 7,000. While confirming the continuation of the Breakfast Scheme and Amma Unavagam, he noted that his administration cooperates administratively with the Central Government while remaining ideologically opposed to its policies.