CM Yogi Adityanath Leads Grand 2.5-km Tiranga Yatra in Gorakhpur
Imbuing the historic city with an overwhelming wave of patriotism and national pride, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath personally led a magnificent Tiranga Yatra in Gorakhpur. Spanning nearly two and a half kilometers from the Municipal Corporation premises to the Railway Station Square, the grand procession saw thousands of citizens marching shoulder-to-shoulder with the Chief Minister, holding the national flag high under the guiding philosophy of "Nation First." Before flagging off the march, CM Yogi delivered an inspiring public address, emphasizing that India's tricolor is far more than a piece of cloth—it is the living, breathing saga of supreme sacrifices made by countless freedom fighters.
Honoring History: From Maharani Lakshmibai to the Kakori Revolutionaries
Commencing the patriotic event, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid heartfelt floral tributes at the statue of the valiant freedom fighter Maharani Lakshmibai at the Municipal Corporation premises. Addressing the massive gathering, the Chief Minister traced the evolution of India's national flag during the freedom movement. He noted how independence leaders utilized different symbols and banners across various eras—from the adoption of Swadeshi as a national motto in 1905 to the evolution of the tricolor featuring a spinning wheel in the 1930s—to give momentum to the struggle against British rule.
Highlighting Uttar Pradesh's profound contribution to India's independence, CM Yogi recalled legendary freedom fighters who sparked and sustained the flame of freedom: Mangal Pandey in Barrackpore, Bandhu Singh in Gorakhpur, Rani Lakshmibai in Jhansi, Tatya Tope in Bithur, and Dhan Singh Kotwal in Meerut. He underscored how historic regional milestones, such as the 1922 Chauri Chaura incident and the 1925 Kakori Train Action led by icons like Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Thakur Roshan Singh, and Chandrashekhar Azad, shook the foundations of the British empire. Criticizing how the colonial regime falsely branded the Kakori incident as a mere robbery—a narrative unfortunately perpetuated post-independence until Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially restored their honor by designating it the 'Kakori Train Action'—the CM lamented that previous governments ignored these heroes, instead dedicating public schemes and institutions exclusively to a single family. Under the present leadership, however, true national martyrs are finally receiving their rightful place in history.
Empowering Citizens: PM Modi and the Flag Code Amendment
Highlighting a historic shift in national governance, CM Yogi pointed out that prior to 2022, ordinary Indian citizens actually had to fight legal battles in courts just to hoist the national flag respectfully at their homes. Previous administrations failed to grant citizens this fundamental right. However, during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi amended the National Flag Code, empowering every Indian to proudly hoist the tricolor at their residences as a symbol of national glory and individual pride.
5-Crore Tricolour Target and Respect for National Symbols
Connecting the grand rally to the nationwide 'Har Ghar Tiranga' initiative, CM Yogi urged citizens to hoist the national flag at their homes and upload selfies with the tricolor. The Uttar Pradesh government has set an ambitious target of hoisting the national flag across 50 million homes this state-wide season, extending across urban and rural households, as well as government, semi-government, and commercial institutions.
Reminding the public of their civic duties, the Chief Minister sternly noted that the Central Government has now made insulting the national anthem or national song a cognizable offense, stressing that honoring national symbols, the tricolor, and Vande Mataram is the ultimate duty of every patriotic citizen. The grand yatra witnessed the prominent presence of several dignitaries, including Cabinet Minister Dr. Sanjay Nishad, MP Ravi Kishan Shukla, Mayor Dr. Manglesh Srivastava, state legislators, and senior BJP office-bearers.
