Bengaluru August 16, : More than 1 lakh people took part in the “mega” Freedom March organised by the Karnataka unit of the Congress party to mark the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence here. The 7-km long march started here at Sangolli Rayanna Circle at 2 p.m.on Monday.It culminated at the National College Grounds in almost 4 hours.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President D.K.Shivakumar and opposition leader Siddaramaiah put on an unison display in public, sending an “strong” signal to the ruling BJP.
Shivakumar claimed that the Congress party was fighting for the freedom of an inclusive secular, sovereign, and secular India where every segment of the society is given its fair part.
“We are proud to fly our Tricolor the flag of the nation.
The Congress party’s leaders as well as our predecessors Dadabhai Narojii, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Sarojini Naidu, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Subhash Chandra Bose, and others fought for an equal India and a socialist society in which every community is given its due.The freedom fighters of the past would have never gotten behind the divisions created in the present in the name of religion,” Shivakumar said.
“The BJP targets the Nehru-Gandhi family because the saffron party has no track record of involvement in the struggle for freedom and is jealous of the Congress and the Gandhi family because of their history,” he asserted.
“We have never forgotten the struggles of Kittur Rani Chennamma and Surapur Nayaka Vekatappa Bahala,”” Shivakumar said asserting that the Congress party is striving to ensure justice for all in the nation and ensure that everyone is informed about the Kannada freedom fighters.
He added that it was B.R.Ambedkar who ensured that each Indian is equally treated when writing the Constitution of India.
The former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also stated that people should be reminded that India gained freedom following many hours of bloodshed, when thousands of people gave their lives to fight for freedom.
“We should remember our history and the sacrifices of our freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives so that their children could have the opportunity to live in a democratic country.We must never forget or disdain them.
Anyone who is discriminating against these freedom fighters is committing injustice that is wrong,” Siddaramaiah said.
Popular singer Hariharan took part in the cultural celebration that took place on the National College ground where the Freedom March got concluded.
Kannadigas from across the state took part in the parade in massive numbers.Over 1 lakh participants registered online to participate in the Congress party’s event.
Affirming a shrewd approach when organizing the event, Congress party had purchased the metro tickets in bulk for 30,000 to offer free commuting for those attending “so that there would not be any congestion of traffic in the capital city as a result of the celebration”.
Everyone from every walk of life, including women and children as well as seniors took part in the march, showing their support with the cause as well as expressing their appreciation for the hard-earned Independence the country gained after many of sacrifices.
Top Congress leadership, including AICC General Secretary in charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala, former Chief Minister of Karnataka G.Parameshwara, Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Council B.K.Hariprasad as well as KPCC Campaign Committee Chairman M.B.Patil attended the event.
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