Sports Minister O.J. Janeesh inspects the parade after hoisting the national flag at Thekkinkadu Maidan in Thrissur on Independence Day on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: K.K.Najeeb
India must unite in the fight against social injustice at a time when constitutional values, including secularism, are facing serious challenges, Youth Welfare, Sports and Registration Minister O.J. Jeneesh said on Saturday.Addressing the Independence Day celebrations after hoisting the national flag and receiving the salute at the Students’ Corner on Thekkinkadu Maidan, the Minister said citizens had a collective responsibility to safeguard the values guaranteed by the Constitution.Governance must remain free of abuse of power, he said, urging those in authority to strengthen constitutional institutions rather than use them to serve vested interests. Freedom of expression must be exercised without undermining the dignity of others, he added.“Every citizen should have the courage to raise their voice against injustice and become a guardian of India’s democratic and secular values,” Mr. Janeesh said.Recalling the sacrifices of freedom fighters who fought against colonial rule, the Minister said Independence Day was an occasion not only to celebrate the country’s freedom but also to reflect on how far the ideals of the freedom struggle had been realised.Political freedom alone could not define the freedom of a nation, he said. Social and economic freedom were equally essential. Discrimination based on caste, religion, gender and wealth continued to exist in society and needed to be confronted collectively, he added.Mr. Janeesh also called for a stronger campaign against drug abuse, particularly among the younger generation. Teachers should help students stay away from drugs through care, guidance and positive thinking, while also imparting lessons for life beyond the classroom, he said.Parents and public representatives too had an important role in preventing drug abuse, he added.MLA Rajan J. Pallan, Thrissur Corporation Mayor Dr. Niji Justin, District Panchayat president Mary Thomas, District Collector Shikha Surendran, Thrissur Range DIG T. Narayanan, City Police Commissioner Nakul Rajendra Deshmukh, Rural District Police Chief Mohammed Nadeemuddin, ADM M. Sandeep and Assistant Collector A.C. Preethi were among those who attended the function.As many as 24 platoons representing the police, Excise, Forest, Fire and Rescue Services, Student Police Cadet (SPC) and NCC took part in the parade. Viyyur police station Inspector K.M. Maheshkumar led the parade, while Sub-Inspector M.P. Vinayachandran of the District Headquarters camp served as second-in-command.The Minister presented awards to the platoons that put up the best performances. Rolling trophies for institutions that contributed the highest amounts to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund were presented to Guruvayur Devaswom English Medium School and the 24 Kerala Battalion NCC, Thrissur. Published - August 15, 2026 07:19 pm IST
