Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev on Saturday, 15 August 2025 hoisted the National Flag at Patanjali Yogpeeth in Haridwar on the occasion of India's 80th Independence Day, declaring that the country belongs to its 145 crore citizens — not to political parties or elected officeholders. His remarks, addressed to reporters after the flag-hoisting ceremony, blended patriotic tribute with sharp criticism of governance failures and political discord.

India Belongs to Every Citizen, Ramdev Says

Ramdev drew a direct line between constitutional rights and civic ownership of the nation. 'This country is not for political parties or only for the ruling party. It does not belong only to MLAs, MPs, the Prime Minister or the President. This country belongs to 145 crore Indians. The rights and responsibilities that a Prime Minister or President has are also shared by every citizen,' he said.

He added: 'This is what independence means. These rights have been given to us by the Constitution.' The remarks come at a time of heightened political polarisation, with the yoga guru positioning himself as a voice for civic unity above partisan lines.

Appeal to Leaders: Resolve Differences Democratically

Ramdev urged political leaders across the spectrum to set aside internal conflicts and engage through democratic dialogue. 'Don't fight with the people of the country. There is Pakistan and there are other foreign forces to fight against. We have enough people to fight. Leaders should not fight among themselves. They should hold discussions in a democratic manner,' he said.

He also warned against what he described as a continuing 'divide and rule' dynamic in Indian politics, calling instead for unity. 'We should take the country forward with love,' he said. Notably, this appeal comes amid persistent inter-party friction and public debate over the direction of national governance.

Concerns Over Youth, Education and Corruption

Ramdev acknowledged positive contributions from younger Indians while also flagging troubling trends. 'A lot of Gen-Z members are doing really great work, although some are also involved in creating riots,' he said. He cited grievances from students in smaller towns — lack of teachers, electricity, and water — alongside recurring complaints about paper leaks and competitive examination burdens.

He went further to allege irregularities in government recruitment, including caste-based and ideological considerations in selection processes, and claimed that bribes of more than ₹1 crore were allegedly being taken. 'This is against the Constitution. On one hand, we talk about Satyamev Jayate, while on the other, such things happen,' he said.

Warning of Intensified Public Protests

In a pointed warning, Ramdev said he does not endorse anarchy but signalled that he may personally take to the streets if systemic issues go unaddressed. 'I don't support anarchy in the name of protest, but one thing is certain: There are many scams. Correct them and ensure they do not happen, otherwise it may come to a point where I have to come out and protest,' he said.

This is not the first time Ramdev has threatened public agitation — he led a high-profile anti-corruption campaign in the early 2010s. His renewed warning on Independence Day carries symbolic weight, given the occasion and his mass following. Whether the statement translates into organised action remains to be seen.