India will celebrate its 79th day of independence on August 15, 2025. Here are 20 inspiring citations of prominent Indian leaders and freedom fighters:
“We want a complete swaraj, not just a change of masters.” – Jawaharlal nezru, during seating Lahore Indian National Congress (INC) 31 December 1929
“The British will have to give us freedom or we’ll take it.” – Bal Gangadhar Tilak, During the Rally League Home Rule League in Poona (now Pune) April 28, 1916
“The only way to meet the British is the sword.” – Subhas Chandra Bose, during a speech in Singapore 5th July 1943, after taking over the Indian National Army.
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“If we have to fight, we must fight purely; if we have to sacrifice, we must do so with a pure heart.” – Sardar Vallabhbhai patel, during the Quit India movement in Ahmedabad 9. August 1942.
“It’s easy to kill individuals, but you can’t kill thoughts. The great empires have disintegrated while thoughts have survived.” – Bhagat Singh, writing from prison in 1930–31
“Better stay quiet, don’t even think better unless you are ready to act.” – Annie Besant, during the Home Rule League movement, 1916–17.
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“The shots that hit me are the last nails to the British government’s coffin in India.” – Lala Lajpat Rai, after being injured at LATHI fee during protests against Simon Commission, 1928.
“The power of people is stronger than people in power.” – Br Ambedkar, speech at the conference of depressive classes in Nagpur in July 1942
“We will face enemy bullets. We lived freely and stay free.” – Chandrashekhar Azad, promise before his last meeting with the British forces, 1931.
“India will not be free until the last untouchable is free.” – BR AMBEDKAR, during a speech at the Depressive Class Conference in Yeole, Maharištře 13. October 1935
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“The size of the country does not depend on the size of its army, but the love that its people have to do.” – Sarojini Naidu, probably in 1910-1930
“It is better to die a thousand times in the hands of the oppressor than to live under his reign.” – Alluri Sitarama Raju, Ramp Rebelion (1922–1924)
“Inquilab Zindabad” (Long Live The Revolution) – created Maulan Hasrat Mohani in 1921, popularized Bhagat Singh during the independence movement.
“Leave India up to the light of freedom.” – Mahadev Govind dominade and urge social and political awakening at the end of the 19th century
“The British can rule our bodies, but they cannot rule our souls.” – Aurobindo Ghose, written in the Bande Mataram 15. May 1908
“Freedom of India will be incomplete without the emancipation of her women.” – Kamaladevi Chattopadyay, during a speech at the All-India Female Conference in Dilli 29 December 1939
“Freedom is the right of birth of every nation, and India will claim it through the victim.” – Bipin Chandra Pal, during a public meeting in Calcutta (now Kolkata) 7. August 1907
“Indian chains are chains of humanity.” – Rabindranath Tagore, from essay, “nationalism in India (1917)
“Make or die.” – Mahatma Gandhi, during the Quit India 1942 movement
“Revolution is an inalienable right of humanity. Freedom is an indestructible right of birth of all.” – Bhagat Singh, expression of his political philosophy in 1929–30
(Tagstotranslate) 2025 Independence Day
