Fight collectively against attempts to hamper India’s diversity: Riyas

Attempts to hamper India’s diversity in the name of uniformity will have to be fought collectively as part of upholding the rich culture of the country, Minister for Public Works and Tourism P.A. Mohamed Riyas has said.

He was speaking after unfurling the tricolour at the 79th Independence Day celebrations at Vikram Maidan in Kozhikode on Friday.

“If the citizens can uphold the culture of diversity, it will be the greatest honour we can confer on our forefathers who fought for independent India. Now, we are all witnessing attempts to distort the history of our freedom struggle,” mentioned Mr. Riyas. He pointed out that every citizen should adopt a no-compromise attitude towards those trying to distort historical facts.

Explaining the role of Independence Day celebrations in the modern era, the Minister said that such moments should be transformed into opportunities to pass on the history of our freedom struggle to younger generations. The celebrations would be complete and meaningful only if we take an oath to safeguard our country’s secular character and democratic values, he added.

“No external forces should be allowed to infringe on our political freedom. As a society, we have the responsibility to nurture the concept of unity in diversity while breaking the barriers of caste, creed, sex, religion, and language,” said Mr. Riyas. He added that efforts should also be made to foster the spirit of nationalism.

District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh, District Police Chief (Kozhikode City) T. Narayanan, and District Police Chief (Kozhikode Rural) K.E. Baiju were among those present at the venue to receive the Minister, who reviewed the ceremonial Independence Day parade and distributed prizes to the best platoons.

Despite adverse weather conditions, 26 platoons representing the Police, Excise, Fire and Rescue Services, National Cadet Corps, Scouts and Guides, Red Cross, Civil Defence Force, and student contingents from selected schools turned up for the celebrations, which began at 9 a.m. MPs M.K. Raghavan and Shafi Parambil, MLAs Thottathil Raveendran and Ahammed Devarkovil, and district panchayat president Sheeja Sasi, vice-president P. Gavas, and Additional District Magistrate P. Suresh were present.

Revenue department officials said the active participation of students in the ceremonial parade and related cultural programmes, despite the heavy rain, was a truly inspiring sight.