Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Jagdish Vishwakarma on Saturday, 15 August 2025, declared that freedom must be understood not as the mere enjoyment of rights but as the responsible exercise of those rights paired with a disciplined discharge of duties toward the nation and society. He was speaking at the flag-hoisting ceremony held at the Gujarat BJP state headquarters in Gandhinagar on the occasion of India's 80th Independence Day.

Key Remarks at the Flag-Hoisting Ceremony

Addressing senior party leaders, office-bearers, Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, party workers, and citizens gathered at the event, Vishwakarma underscored that the Constitution of India had conferred rights upon every citizen — but simultaneously assigned each one the responsibility of contributing to the country's unity, integrity, and progress.

'Freedom does not merely mean enjoying rights, but using those rights responsibly and performing one's duties towards the nation and society with discipline, honesty and dedication,' he said.

He described Independence Day as an occasion not only to celebrate national pride but also to honour those who made the supreme sacrifice for the country's freedom and to renew the collective resolve to build the nation.

Gujarat's Freedom Movement Legacy

Vishwakarma paid tribute to freedom fighters, revolutionaries, and historical figures who dedicated their lives to the independence struggle. Recalling Gujarat's specific contribution, he referenced Mahatma Gandhi's role in carrying the message of truth and non-violence to the masses, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's organisational strength and commitment to national unity, and the contributions of Shyamji Krishna Varma and Sardar Singh Rana to the freedom movement.

India's Progress and the Viksit Bharat Vision

The Gujarat BJP chief cited India's advances across science and technology, space, defence, agriculture, healthcare, education, digital systems, start-ups, women's empowerment, and infrastructure — attributing this progress to the contribution of every hardworking citizen.

Referring to the national goal of 'Viksit Bharat @2047', Vishwakarma said the collective aspiration was for India to become 'a developed, self-reliant and prosperous country capable of guiding the world' when it completes 100 years of independence. He called on citizens to keep national interest paramount, strengthen unity and social harmony, and discharge their responsibilities with honesty and dedication.

Call to Action for Citizens

Vishwakarma urged citizens to prioritise indigenous products, conserve water and electricity, protect natural resources and the environment, safeguard public property, promote cleanliness and education, and contribute to de-addiction and social service. He also highlighted the contribution of the armed forces, saying soldiers who protect the motherland — 'from the bitter cold to the scorching heat of the desert and from maritime borders to the heights of the sky' — deserved the nation's gratitude.

'The life we live should be dedicated to the country, our talent should be dedicated to the country and our hard work should be dedicated to the country,' he said, invoking the spirit of 'Nation First'. As India marks eight decades of independence, such calls from state-level party leadership signal a broader push to frame civic participation within a duty-first narrative ahead of the 2047 centenary milestone.