# Kerala leaders defend constitutional values in Independence Day speeches

2026-08-15T06:33:31+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan called for an open-minded democracy and warned against communalism, caste discrimination and hatred in his Independence Day address in Thiruvananthapuram on August 15. He urged citizens to protect constitutional principles, secularism, equality and national unity. Referring to a reported purification ritual at a rally venue in Uttarakhand, he said such acts must be opposed. In Kozhikode, Minister Bindu Krishna said freedom meant living without fear and with dignity, while defending dissent, women’s freedom and fair working conditions. Both leaders paid tribute to those killed in recent floods. Satheesan also called for development that accounts for climate change, while Krishna pointed to unemployment, price rises, inequality and digital divides as continuing challenges.

## Coverage

- thehindu.com <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/in-independence-day-speech-kerala-cm-warns-against-communalism-calls-for-open-minded-democracy/article71348651.ece>
- newindianexpress.com <https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2026/Aug/15/constitutional-rights-should-be-protected-says-v-d-satheesan>
- thehindu.com <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/freedom-means-living-without-fear-and-with-dignity-says-kerala-minister-bindhu-krishna-in-independence-day-address/article71348586.ece>

Tags: Independence Day, Kerala, Mallikarjun Kharge, Uttarakhand, V.D. Satheesan
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