In his address to the nation on 77th Republic Day, on January 26, 2026, Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge said- My fellow citizens,

On behalf of the Indian National Congress, I convey my warm greetings and best wishes to each of you on the occasion of Republic Day.

This year marks 76 years since the adoption of the Constitution of India, the enduring guardian of our conscience and the very soul of the Indian Republic.

We pay our deepest homage to Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Azad, Sarojini Naidu, Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and countless others whose unwavering dedication helped shape our great Republic. We also honour every member of the Constituent Assembly who, through exceptional wisdom and foresight, crafted a historic document that embodies the aspirations and collective will of our richly diverse people.

We extend our heartfelt salute to every member of our Armed Forces, the Paramilitary Forces, and the wider security establishment, whose exemplary courage and sacrifice safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and integrity. We are equally grateful to our scientists and teachers, whose invaluable contributions to nation-building have strengthened India’s progress and ensured our standing as a centre of knowledge, innovation, and technical excellence.

We remain profoundly indebted to our Annadata – our hardworking farmers, who nourish the nation and place food on every plate. We also express our sincere gratitude to crores of daily wage workers, labourers, shramiks, and gig workers, whose tireless hands are building India, brick-by-brick. And we acknowledge with appreciation our artists, writers, and sportspersons, whose talent and dedication continue to preserve, enrich, and celebrate the vibrant cultural diversity that defines our country.

Today, the Constitutional rights of crores of MGNREGA workers are under attack. Their livelihood snatched, Panchayats are being weakened at the grassroots. The Rights-based social welfare paradigm painstakingly created over the years is being dismantled by instant diktats. Institutional degradation has reached its zenith. Right to vote – a strong pillar of Democracy is being bulldozed. Federalism has also become a casualty, with the “double engine” analogy, being hammered to disadvantage opposition-ruled states.

The air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat – all have become polluted due to corruption. Our children are paying the cost of this corruption. Bridges are collapsing and roads are crumbling across the country. Instead of becoming “SMART”, cities have become unlivable for all the citizens; especially senior citizens and children.

Health infrastructure has collapsed and healthcare is no longer affordable. CAG found that 41% cards were fraudulent and another 34% were under investigation under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

Unemployment is at its peak and instead of providing jobs to the youth, CAG reports 94% corruption in Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana. Economic inequality has widened to frightening proportions. Crony billionaire friends are being handed over the country’s precious resources while small and medium businesses suffer.

Over the past decade, an embittered and divisive agenda rooted in religious fundamentalism has fractured the social fabric of our nation. Our most vulnerable citizens and groups including SCs, STs, Women, marginalised and minorities are being treated as second class citizens. Acts of violence and atrocities against them are being condoned by this government. People committed to the secular ideals of our freedom fighters find that they are being targeted through orchestrated propaganda.

Therefore, my dear fellow citizens, The time has come, indeed it is long overdue, for us to stand firmly in defence of the principles and spirit of our Constitution: JUSTICE, LIBERTY, EQUALITY and FRATERNITY. These are the enduring values bequeathed to us by our founders, and it is our solemn duty to uphold them. Let us be prepared to make every sacrifice necessary to safeguard the Constitution, for this shall be our truest tribute to the sacrifices of our ancestors. Once again, I extend my warm wishes to you all on this proud occasion of Republic Day. Jai Hind.

Leader of Opposition Shri Rahul Gandhi said that protecting the Constitution is “the truest tribute to the sacrifices” of freedom fighters, calling it the greatest weapon and shield for every Indian.

In a post on X extending Republic Day wishes, Shri Gandhi wrote, “Heartfelt wishes of Republic Day to all fellow citizens. Our Constitution is the greatest weapon for every Indian - it is our voice, the protective shield for our rights. Our Republic stands on the strong foundation of this very document, which will be empowered only through equality and harmony.”

Protecting the Constitution is protecting the Indian Republic - it is a true tribute to the sacrifices of our freedom fighters. Jai Hind! Jai Constitution!”