On August 15, 2025, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood before the nation to deliver his annual Independence Day speech—a moment that, at its best, has the power to unite, inspire, and chart a path forward for the world’s largest democracy. Yet, in the hours and days that followed, Modi’s address became a lightning rod for controversy, opening up deep fissures within the country’s political landscape and raising hard questions about the nation’s direction.
According to an opinion piece published on August 16, 2025, the speech was seen by some as a missed opportunity. The author argued that the gulf between what such a speech should be—an occasion to heal and unify—and what was actually delivered highlighted not just a failure of political imagination, but a broader inability to position India as a confident, inclusive democracy. The piece suggested that India, standing at a crossroads, could have used this moment to present itself as a leader on the global stage while reinforcing unity at home. Instead, the event became marked by political signaling and division.
At the heart of the controversy was Modi’s praise for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization with a long and complicated history in Indian politics. During his address, the Prime Minister lauded the RSS, a move that quickly drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders and activists. The reaction was swift and pointed, especially from Thol Thirumavalavan, chief of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) party.
Speaking on August 16 at the 26th State Conference of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in Salem, Thirumavalavan did not mince words. “The RSS has repeatedly been banned for its divisive activities and is known for pushing hate politics against minorities, dividing people on religious lines, and consolidating votes through caste pride. Praising such a movement during a national event is completely unacceptable and shocking,” he declared, as reported by The New Indian Express.
Thirumavalavan’s remarks reflected a broader anxiety among India’s secular and left-leaning factions, who see the RSS’s influence as a direct threat to the country’s pluralistic traditions. “Democracy must win, and fascist politics must fall. Today, democracy is fighting for its very survival against Sanatan ideology,” he warned, urging all democratic forces to unite in defense of the nation’s secular and democratic fabric.
The CPI’s 26th State Conference, which runs until August 18 at the Nehru Kalai Arangam in Salem, has become a focal point for these concerns. The event opened with the ceremonial arrival of the party flag, the lighting of the “sacrifice flame,” and floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue—a nod to the values of nonviolence and unity. The conference, inaugurated by CPI national secretariat member Amarjit Kaur and presided over by state secretary Mutharasan, is expected to pass key party resolutions on August 17, with Chief Minister MK Stalin and other alliance leaders scheduled to address a public meeting on August 16.
Thirumavalavan’s criticism of Modi’s speech was not limited to questions of national identity and democracy. He also took aim at local governance, particularly the ongoing privatization of sanitation work in Chennai. He called on Chief Minister Stalin to formally recognize sanitation workers as government employees, arguing that such a move would provide much-needed security and dignity to a workforce often marginalized and overlooked.
At the same time, Thirumavalavan welcomed a series of welfare measures recently announced for workers, including insurance cover, free breakfast schemes, educational assistance, and subsidies for self-employment. These initiatives, he said, represented important steps toward improving the lives of some of India’s most vulnerable citizens—a rare point of agreement in an otherwise contentious political atmosphere.
The debate over Modi’s speech and the role of the RSS is not new, but it has taken on renewed urgency in the current climate. Supporters of the Prime Minister argue that the RSS has played a crucial role in nation-building and promoting discipline and social service. They contend that the organization’s critics are motivated by political rivalry and a refusal to acknowledge the positive contributions made by its members. For many on this side of the debate, Modi’s praise was both justified and overdue.
Opponents, however, see things very differently. The RSS, they argue, has a documented history of exclusionary politics and has been banned multiple times for activities deemed divisive by previous governments. Its critics accuse the organization of undermining India’s secular framework, promoting majoritarianism, and sowing discord among religious and caste groups. For them, the Prime Minister’s endorsement of the RSS during a national event is not just inappropriate—it is a signal that the government is willing to sideline the principles of inclusivity and equality that have long underpinned the country’s democratic experiment.
This clash of perspectives was on full display at the CPI conference, where calls for unity among democratic forces were echoed by leaders and delegates alike. The sense of urgency was palpable, with speakers warning that the stakes had rarely been higher. “Today, democracy is fighting for its very survival,” Thirumavalavan said, summing up the mood of many in attendance.
Looking beyond the immediate controversy, the events of the past week have underscored the complexity and volatility of Indian politics in 2025. As the country grapples with questions of identity, governance, and social justice, the choices made by its leaders—both in word and deed—will have far-reaching consequences. The debate over the RSS, the future of secularism, and the rights of marginalized groups is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. But if there is one lesson to be drawn from the reaction to Modi’s speech, it is that India’s democracy remains vibrant, contested, and very much alive.
For now, the CPI’s conference continues in Salem, with party resolutions and further public statements expected in the coming days. The hope among many attendees is that, despite the divisions and disappointments of the past week, the nation can find a way to move forward—one that honors its diversity, protects its democratic institutions, and ensures that every citizen has a voice in shaping its future.
