India never accepted any country’s diktats: Rajnath

India will never bow down to forces seeking to divide the nation in the name of religion and never accept diktats from any country, but will continue to script and execute its own path, Union defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday.

- Srinivasa Rao Apparasu

Singh unfurled the national flag as part of the Telangana Liberation Day celebrations held by the Central government at Secunderabad Parade Grounds, marking the 77th anniversary of Hyderabad’s integration into the Indian Union. He also received the ceremonial guard of honour from contingents from the Army Navy, and Air Force. Earlier, Singh also paid homage at the Military Martyrs’ Monument and laid a wreath at the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who played a decisive role in Hyderabad’ accession.

Addressing the gathering, Singh said PM Narendra Modi's decision to commemorate the day officially as Liberation Day was meant to honour the sacrifices of countless freedom fighters. “This day is written in golden letters in Indian history,” he declared.