Baba Ramdev on Independence Day: Break caste, religion walls of hatred
Synopsis
At Patanjali Yogpeeth on the 80th Independence Day, Baba Ramdev issued an unusually wide-ranging appeal — calling out caste hatred, religious hostility, youth unrest, and political bitterness in a single address. His simultaneous call for the ruling alliance to show warmth to the Opposition, and for the Opposition to respect elected leaders, cuts against the grain of India's current political temperature.
Key Takeaways
Baba Ramdev hoisted the National Flag at Patanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar on 15 August 2025 , the 80th Independence Day .
He urged all Indians to 'break down walls of hatred' based on caste and religion and reject the 'divide and rule' doctrine.
Ramdev defined independence as self-reliance in education, healthcare, and economy with national self-respect at its core.
He criticised sections of Gen Z for what he called lawlessness, while acknowledging others are doing 'great work.' He called for mutual respect between the ruling alliance and the Opposition, urging both sides to 'extend a hand of friendship.'
Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev on 15 August 2025 called on Indians to dismantle what he described as 'walls of hatred' built on caste and religious lines, speaking at Patanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar, Uttarakhand after hoisting the National Flag during the 80th Independence Day celebrations. Addressing reporters, Ramdev urged citizens to 'pledge to tear down the doctrine of divide and rule' and stop what he called the breaking of India.
Key Message: Unity Over Division
Ramdev framed his Independence Day address around social cohesion, arguing that caste and religious hostility had corroded national unity. 'Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, Dalits, Adivasis, forest dwellers, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, and Buddhists are standing against one another with such hostility, as if they are thirsty for each other's blood! We must break down all these walls of hatred across the country,' he said.
He further stated that citizens who harbour malice towards fellow Indians despite sharing the same nationality 'should be ashamed.'
Ramdev on True Independence
Defining independence in substantive terms, Ramdev asserted: 'Independence means having our own system — our own education, our own healthcare, our own economy, and prioritising the honour and self-respect of our nation's citizens above all else.' He added that excellent work is being done across agriculture, industry, and the broader economy.
Remarks on Gen Z and Youth Conduct
Ramdev directed pointed remarks at sections of younger Indians, distinguishing between those he said were contributing positively and others he accused of 'spreading lawlessness and anarchy on the streets.' He urged youth to 'fight for their rights while keeping democratic and constitutional limits in mind.' He also criticised what he described as lifestyle choices among some young people, including substance use.
Political Reconciliation Appeal
Turning to the political landscape, Ramdev called for civility between the ruling alliance and the Opposition. He urged the government to 'show affection towards the Opposition' and asked both sides to 'extend a hand of friendship to one another.' Referring to those he described as politically marginalised, he said: 'Those who have failed in politics — who are politically marginalised — seem to think they can simply snap their fingers and land the Prime Minister's chair. Does that ever happen? It is the country that makes you Prime Minister.' He simultaneously urged the Opposition to 'acknowledge that these individuals have been elected by the country and treat them with respect.'
Ramdev's remarks come at a time of heightened political polarisation ahead of several state assembly elections, making his dual appeal — to both the ruling side and the Opposition — notable in its framing.
Point of View
Youth disillusionment, and political toxicity. That he directed accountability at both the ruling side and the Opposition — rather than only one — gives the remarks a texture rarely seen in public discourse from figures closely associated with the current establishment. Whether the appeal lands as principled or performative will depend on the follow-through from Patanjali's own considerable political adjacency. The harder question his speech sidesteps: institutional and policy factors that sustain caste hierarchies rarely dissolve through moral appeals alone.
NationPress
15 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Baba Ramdev say on Independence Day 2025?
Baba Ramdev, speaking at Patanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar on 15 August 2025, urged Indians to dismantle 'walls of hatred' built on caste and religious lines and pledged to end the 'divide and rule' doctrine. He also called for political reconciliation between the ruling alliance and the Opposition.
Where did Baba Ramdev hoist the flag on Independence Day?
Ramdev hoisted the National Flag at Patanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, during the 80th Independence Day celebrations on 15 August 2025.
What did Ramdev say about Gen Z and youth?
Ramdev acknowledged that some Gen Z youth are doing 'great work' but criticised others for what he described as spreading lawlessness and anarchy. He urged youth to assert their rights within democratic and constitutional boundaries.
Did Ramdev comment on the political Opposition?
Yes. Ramdev urged the ruling alliance to show affection towards the Opposition and asked both sides to extend a hand of friendship. He also said the Opposition should respect elected leaders, while noting that political power ultimately comes from the country's citizens, not political manoeuvring.
What did Ramdev mean by 'divide and rule'?
Ramdev used the phrase to describe what he sees as deliberate social and political fragmentation along caste, religious, and partisan lines within India. He called on citizens to collectively reject this approach on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day.
