I always preferred Republic Day to Independence Day…..<\/p>\n
I suppose the preference got created in school where Independence Day ‘celebrations’ were about sacrifice and biographies of martyrs and leaders read out by a tinny voice on a terrible loudspeaker. the voice – by the time it reached the crowd of students – would seem disembodied and unclear … Also August in Mumbai – is not fun to be out in the open – it is either raining like hell and uncomfortable; or it is just pre rain – in which case it is humid as hell and uncomfortable …<\/p>\n
Republic Day on the other hand was fun. My early memories of the short stint in Delhi (my parents moved to Mumbai when i was 7) include going the Republic Day Parade – seeing all the pomp and glory. Later on in school, it was a day for activities and individuality. Not a day for dead heroes but a day for us – the students…..<\/p>\n
When i grew up and understood better, i realized that Independence Day has an emotional poignancy the overcoming of – the shame of slavery, the tears for loss, the trauma of partition – for me it is the day the country became independent.<\/p>\n
Republic Day is the day the Indian Constitution was adopted, the Indian Republic came into existence and ‘we the people’ became Free and Equal. For the first time in history – every single one of us – as defined legally – was free, independent and equal. For women – it was the first time in history they became more than property …. individuals in their own right. For Dalits – it meant the right to be treated as citizens . For everyone else, it was the first time in history they were as equal as anyone else. Republic Day is unrestrained exuberance – freedom and equality tend to result in that kind of heady feeling.<\/p>\n
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In our building society we hoist the flag, sing the national anthem, have samosas and hot jelebis – kids (sub 10th standard) put on a show. There is general purpose back slapping and bonhomie. Everyone turns up. some in their night dresses with a dupatta on top, some others in shorts and vests, and yet others dressed like they are off to a wedding.
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So, on Republic Day – can i hoist the flag ? Of course, I can – it is my right to do so.
\nThe next question is where all can i hoist the flag – the building society compound – definitely. the terrace, yes. there is another place – next to the watch man’s loo – but some people found it objectionable so that idea was derailed ( mind you 1 gas the right to hoist it outside the loo – but…….good sense tells us not to).<\/p>\n
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\nAnd, that happily brings me to the point of the post – the BJP’s yatra that is going to culminate in the hoisting of the flag at Lal Chowk in J&K.
\n– do they have the right to hoist the flag – Yes
\n– do people have the right to protest against the hoisting of the flag – Yes.
\nboth rights are enshrined in the Constitution – the”LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;” bit of the preamble. ….<\/p>\n
(before someone says Flag Act – i believe that all parts of the Constitution that contravene the preamble need to be looked at reviewed)<\/p>\n
– Does the State have the duty to keep the peace and ensure that Indian citizens in the State. Yes. that too is enshrined in the Constitution….<\/p>\n
So on a day of celebration – where we the people of India – every one of us gained the equality, liberty, fraternity & justice – two sets of testosterone ridden groups are going to face off to prove a point….and, the state will intervene to keep the peace – thereby underlying the natue of the Republic of India…<\/p>\n
I would rather live in a system that allows for symbolism – after all that is the purpose of Flag Hoisting – and its opposition in liberty than not… maybe we should be looking at both the flag hoisting and the protests against it in the same way — the right to express. For, after all that is what we are celebrating on that day…<\/p>\n
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And finally, given that the BJP has the right to hoist the flag – should it ……<\/p>\n
well, the BJP’s policies & persona have been always based on Face Offs. So, it is not surprising that they have chosen this route again to prove a point….If anything that i.e., protest –\u00a0 is is their USP.<\/p>\n
If they were politically mature and wanted to be part of the solution – the way Atal Behari Vajpayee was – then they would have engineered an all party, all sections of society flag hoisting based on good will and bonhomie….<\/p>\n
But, they aren’t … and that is possibly why despite a \u00a0a f***ed up 6 months in politics where the BJP should have emerged as a logical leader in the political space, they are still floundering ….<\/p>\n
If they aspire for power they have to stop throwing tantrums or displaying excessive machismo … neither are attractive traits for anyone, especially not an entity that hopes to run the Republic….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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