Haridwar, August 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Saturday said India belonged to all its citizens and not to any particular political party or ruling establishment, as he called for greater democratic dialogue and collective efforts to make the country a global economic, spiritual and political power.
Ramdev made the remarks after hoisting the National Flag at Patanjali Yogpeeth on the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day. He also paid tribute to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the country’s Independence.
Extending his greetings to the people, Ramdev said the sacrifices of lakhs of men and women who fought for freedom should serve as a reminder of the responsibilities of citizens in building the nation.
He said India was not the preserve of political parties, elected representatives or constitutional office-holders, but belonged equally to its 145 crore citizens.
“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.
Ramdev said this, according to him, was the essence of Independence and added that such rights were guaranteed by the Constitution.
He also urged political leaders to avoid internal confrontation and resolve disagreements through democratic dialogue. Referring to external challenges, he said leaders should not fight among themselves and warned that “divide and rule” remained a challenge.
Ramdev called for greater appreciation of positive developments in the country while expressing concern over issues affecting the younger generation.
He said many members of Gen Z were doing commendable work, although he also claimed that some had become involved in riots. He appealed to young people and elders to work together and respect one another.
Raising concerns about basic facilities and education, Ramdev said children in some villages were still complaining about the lack of teachers, electricity and drinking water. He also referred to concerns over paper leaks and the pressure on students to clear competitive examinations after Class 10 and 12 for admission to higher education.
He further alleged irregularities in government recruitment and expressed concern over corruption, caste-based considerations and ideological factors influencing selection processes.
Calling such practices contrary to constitutional principles, he alleged that bribes running into more than ₹1 crore were being demanded in some cases.
Ramdev warned that unresolved grievances could lead to increasing public protests. While saying he did not support anarchy in the name of protest, he called for alleged scams and irregularities to be addressed before public frustration reached a more serious stage.
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