Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said efforts were underway to undermine the identity of India. He said here on Sunday that efforts had been made in the past few years to destroy amity and called for protecting the country's brotherhood and integrity.

"The biggest identity of our country is that people of different castes and religions live together here. This cannot be found in other countries. However, in the past few years, it is being seen that efforts are being made to kill our 'Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb'," he said while addressing Independence Day programme at the party office.

"Hence, the samajwadis must pledge to protect India's integrity and ensure there is brotherhood and love among people of the country. Today, there are problems before the farmers of the country and we have to identify those who have insulted our 'annadatas'," the SP chief said.

He said on one hand the ‘annadata’ was being insulted and on the other, "Amrit Mahotsav" was being held to confuse the people.

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, many lives were lost. There was a shortage of medicines and people were arranging oxygen cylinders to save their loved ones,” he said.

Referring to the UP Assembly polls next year, Akhilesh Yadav said, "We will fight and the youth must consider the 2022 UP polls as their own elections to save the country and the Constitution."

"Those in power have not fulfilled any of the poll promises. In 1931, a caste Census was done and today the entire country wants a caste Census and the samajwadis want it because these people who are sitting in the government instigate casteist violence," he said.

SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, while addressing party workers, said, "We hope that every year you will stand up for the country to defend it and safeguard its honour."

Meanwhile, in an embarrassing situation, Samajwadi party MP from Moradabad, ST Hasan, hoisted the national flag on Independence Day but could not sing the entire national anthem.

The supporters of the MPs too could not sing the national anthem. The MP sang the first two stanzas and after that, ST Hasan and his supporters forgot the national anthem.