Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Baba Ramdev: Corruption hollowing out India's foundations on Independence Day
On the day India celebrated its 80th birthday as a free country, a famous yoga teacher named Baba Ramdev gave a speech.
He said that problems like cheating and dishonesty are making India weak from the inside.
He also said that some people have too much money and power while others have too little, and everyone should have a fair chance.
He asked people to stop being unkind to each other, no matter their religion or community.
He wants India to be a country with no drugs, where nobody smokes or drinks alcohol.
He said that freedom does not mean doing whatever you want — it means taking care of your rights and your duties.
He believes India should have the best schools, hospitals and jobs in the world.
Another leader, Acharya Balkrishna, reminded everyone that people often remember their rights but forget their responsibilities.
Both of them said that if every Indian does their part, the country can become a great world leader.
Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna hoisted the national flag at Patanjali Yogpeeth on India's 80th Independence Day.
Ramdev said dishonesty and corruption are hollowing out India's foundations and that the gap of inequality has become very wide.
He urged an end to political and caste-based hatred and called for citizens to fight for rights while upholding democratic, constitutional and human values.
He reiterated his call for a drug-free India, appealing to people to give up beedis, cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, bhang and dhatura.
Ramdev claimed foreign companies like the East India Company looted more than $100 trillion from the country and called for economic, educational and healthcare independence.
- Who
- Baba Ramdev, yoga guru, and Acharya Balkrishna, General Secretary of Patanjali Yogpeeth.
- What
- Delivered Independence Day speeches calling for an end to corruption, hatred and drug use, and for economic, educational and healthcare independence.
- When
- On India's 80th Independence Day (Saturday).
- Where
- At Yog Bhawan, Patanjali Wellness, Patanjali Yogpeeth-2, India.
- Why
- Ramdev said dishonesty and corruption are hollowing out India's foundations and that all 1.45 billion citizens must make a collective effort to build a developed India.
- Occasion
- India's 80th Independence Day
- Main Speaker
- Baba Ramdev
- Co-Participant
- Acharya Balkrishna, General Secretary of Patanjali Yogpeeth
- Venue
- Yog Bhawan, Patanjali Wellness, Patanjali Yogpeeth-2
- Key Criticism
- Dishonesty and corruption hollowing out India's foundations; widening inequality gap
- Appeals
- End hatred; build a drug-free and corruption-free India; no paper leaks; equal employment opportunities
- Claim on Foreign Companies
- Foreign companies like the East India Company looted over $100 trillion
- Patanjali Initiatives
- Indian Education Board for indigenous education; yoga, Ayurveda and naturopathy for healthcare