India’s political and social landscape has been abuzz with activity over the past week, as the nation marked Constitution Day, celebrated major regional milestones, and grappled with security challenges and electoral fervor. The convergence of these events has cast a spotlight on the evolving role of the Constitution, the priorities of its leaders, and the aspirations of its people.
On November 26, 2025, India commemorated Constitution Day, a date that marks the official adoption of the country’s guiding document in 1949. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes, sending an open letter and email to citizens in which he lauded the Constitution’s enduring power. "It is the power of the Constitution that has enabled a person like me, from a humble and economically disadvantaged family, to serve as the Head of the Government continuously for over 24 years," Modi wrote, personalizing his message and underscoring the transformative promise of the nation’s founding charter, according to The Hindu.
Modi’s letter also recalled his earlier efforts to honor the Constitution, including the Samvidhan Gaurav Yatra in Gujarat during the document’s 60th anniversary—a celebration that, he noted, did not receive the national attention it deserved. In that procession, the Constitution itself was placed atop an elephant, with Modi and fellow citizens from diverse backgrounds participating. The memory, he suggested, was emblematic of his long-standing commitment to constitutional values.
Yet, as The Hindu pointedly questioned, there remains a gulf between the Prime Minister’s eloquent tributes and the government’s record on upholding the Constitution’s principles. Critics argue that the actions of the Modi-led Union Government, and several BJP-ruled states, have at times undermined the very foundations of India’s identity as a "sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic." There are concerns that instead of fostering the unity and equal rights enshrined in the Constitution, policies and rhetoric from segments of the ruling party have alienated minority communities and, in some instances, branded them as "infiltrators" or "troublemakers." Article 15, which prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion, caste, sex, or race, is cited by many as a litmus test that remains unmet in practice.
These tensions were thrown into sharp relief just a day before Constitution Day, when Prime Minister Modi presided over a flag-hoisting ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The event, which was broadcast and widely covered, saw Modi declare the temple’s construction as the "culmination of a 500-year-long prayer," and he described the entire nation as a participant in that prayer. According to The Hindu, this framing effectively equated Hinduism with the nation itself—an assertion that has unsettled those who champion the Constitution’s commitment to secularism and pluralism. The symbolic weight of the Prime Minister’s presence at a religious ceremony, and the near silence around the appropriateness of such involvement, speaks volumes about the shifting contours of India’s public discourse.
Meanwhile, the rhythm of democratic life continued across the country. On November 27, Modi traveled to Dehradun to participate in the silver jubilee celebrations of Uttarakhand’s formation day. The state, which came into existence on November 27, 2000, as India’s 27th, marked its 25th anniversary with fanfare. The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth over eight thousand crore rupees, spanning drinking water, irrigation, energy, technical education, urban development, sports, and skill development. As reported by Akashvani News, Modi also issued a commemorative postage stamp and released financial assistance to more than 28,000 farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
Addressing the gathering, Modi congratulated Uttarakhand’s people and highlighted the "double-engine government"—a phrase he uses to describe the synergy between state and central administrations—working to propel the state to new heights. He emphasized the need to unlock the state’s untapped potential and improve connectivity, echoing his government’s development-first narrative.
Elsewhere, the machinery of democracy was in full swing as campaigning for the second and final phase of Bihar Assembly elections drew to a close. More than 3.7 crore voters are set to decide the fate of 1,302 candidates, including 136 women, across 122 assembly constituencies in 20 districts. According to Akashvani News, leaders from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the Mahagathbandhan, and other political formations fanned out across the state for rallies and roadshows, each touting their achievements and promises. The outcome will be closely watched as a barometer of public sentiment ahead of national elections.
The BJP, meanwhile, consolidated its hold in local politics by sweeping the local body elections in Daman, Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli. The party secured near-total dominance in district panchayats and municipal councils, a result party spokesperson Guru Prakash Paswan said reflected "the public’s growing faith in the party’s governance model."
On the social harmony front, RSS sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat announced a new outreach program aimed at ending divisions in society. Speaking in Bengaluru, Bhagwat invoked the unity displayed by Hindus and Muslims during the first war of Independence in 1857 and said the RSS would reach out to caste leaders and religious heads at the block level as part of its Sadbhavana Karya initiative. The move, reported by Akashvani News, seeks to address longstanding social fissures—though critics remain skeptical about the organization’s broader ideological stance.
Security concerns also came to the fore as Gujarat’s Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested three suspected ISIS terrorists from Gandhinagar. Weapons were recovered and authorities believe the suspects were plotting attacks in various parts of the country. The ATS continues to investigate, underscoring the ongoing vigilance required to maintain internal security.
In a show of national pride, the Indian Air Force celebrated its 93rd anniversary with a grand fly-past over the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati. More than 75 aircraft and helicopters participated, thrilling spectators and dignitaries alike. The event, themed "Infallible, Impervious and Precise," showcased the IAF’s operational capability and resilience, as reported by Akashvani News.
Internationally, President Droupadi Murmu held bilateral talks with her Angolan counterpart in Luanda, with both nations discussing cooperation in defense, energy, agriculture, and digital infrastructure. India’s expanding diplomatic and economic ties in Africa reflect its broader vision of global engagement and South-South cooperation.
As India navigates these converging currents—celebrating its constitutional heritage, investing in regional development, confronting security challenges, and deepening international partnerships—the question of how faithfully the nation’s leaders and institutions uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution remains as pressing as ever. The coming months will test whether the lofty principles so often invoked can be matched by action on the ground, ensuring that the promise of equality, secularism, and democracy is realized for all.