Punjab: National Human Rights Commission member Priyank Kanoongo criticised the Punjab Government on August 15 for failing to observe Independence Day in schools and panchayats located in villages near the Pakistan border.
Priyanka Kanoongo claimed that Independence Day was not celebrated in some schools and panchayats in these India-Pakistan border villages in Punjab. He also said that the national flag was not hoisted and the national anthem was not sung at these places.
In a post on X, Kanoongo criticised Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, stating, “This is governmental treason!! In the villages adjacent to the Pakistan border in Punjab, neither Independence Day has been celebrated in the schools nor has the tricolour been hoisted. Not just in schools, but in panchayats too, national festivals are being disrespected; even the national anthem has not been sung. This anarchy by @ArvindKejriwal and @BhagwantMann and the insult to Mother India will not be tolerated. The strictest action will be taken.”
He said that the lack of flag-hoisting and the national anthem at schools and panchayats was a serious matter. He called the situation “governmental treason”, he questioned why national festivals were not being properly observed in villages located close to the Pakistan border.
He warned that the situation would not be tolerated and said that the strictest action would be taken.
Meanwhile, the 80th Independence Day celebrations were held across the country with the national ceremony at the Red Fort in New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the Tricolour and addressed the nation.
The Prime Minister’s Independence Day address focused on India’s development journey and the goal of building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, with emphasis on self-reliance, youth, technology, infrastructure, reforms and national security.
This year’s celebrations also carry special significance as India marks 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’. The National Song was rendered at the Red Fort ceremony as part of the Independence Day celebrations.
Across the states, the flag-hoisting ceremonies served as a reminder of the sacrifices made during India’s freedom struggle and the country’s continuing journey towards development and progress.
