India: R-Day Introspection

Nava Thakuria

Nava Thakuria 

Defying all odds, including a boycott call by some armed militant outfits, the people of far eastern Bharat celebrated the 76th Republic Day of India unfurling the Tri-colour paying homage to the known and unknown martyrs of India’s Freedom Movement against the colonial British forces. Resentments against the governments in respective State capitals as well as in New Delhi, anti-India rhetoric and even the threats from separatist militants could not deter in joining the celebrations aspiring for a powerful nation, which is definitely a Biswa Mitra (if not a Biswa Guru), a guiding light for the human race with its legacy, culture and environment-friendly policies. The auspicious occasion passed off peacefully despite some unfounded reports of bomb blasts in the prehistoric city of Guwahati, which the authorities had outrightly rejected. Many areas of Imphal valley in Manipur looked deserted as the marketplaces were closed and a few people seemingly came outside their residences on 26 January 2025. 

As the Kartavya Path in the national capital witnessed a series of events showcasing the military might of Bharat along with the vibrant cultural heritage in the gracious presence of President Droupadi Murmu and her Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto, Governors, chief ministers and other lawmakers across the country unfurled the national flag at the State capitals. Most of the north-eastern States reflected the spirit of democracy, integrity and patriotism even though alerted by the anti-national statements issued by armed insurgents who have been waging a war against New Delhi for various homelands. Trouble-torn Manipur, where a large section of people pursue anti-Delhi rhetoric, witnessed the courteous presence of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale, who unfurled the Tri-colour in Imphal. Focusing on 75 years of enactment of the Constitution, Sarkaryavah Hosabale opined that every Bharatiya should strengthen and develop the nation not only as a responsibility but also as a fundamental duty. Reciting the story of Lord Ram, who sacrificed his fundamental right to the throne in Ayodhya with an aim to fulfill fundamental duty by accepting a 14-year exile, he said this exemplifies the precedence of duty over rights.

Highlighting the spirit, Guwahati-based popular news channel Da News Plus organized a talkshow after saluting the national flag at its premises, where new generation Indians were appealed to reaffirm their understanding about the Vedic knowledge system while accepting the modern scientific discourses. Moderated by its editorial adviser Professor Dayananda Pathak and joined by journalist turned academician Paresh Baishya and this writer, the live discussion also covered other pertinent issues including due electoral and diplomatic reforms in India. While it was reiterated that the people remain the ultimate authority of a democracy, they should also have duty & responsibility in accordance with various constitutional provisions. At the same time, the electorate should get a proper road map for electing their representatives to the Parliament, legislative assembly, local urban & rural bodies with high participation. Moreover, the status of diplomats representing India in various countries must be decided on the basis of national interests and not to fulfill any criteria set by international forums like the Commonwealth. The participants said that New Delhi should engage a diplomatic mission first to cater to the needs & aspirations of billion-plus Indians for asserting its identity as a sovereign nation. 

As scheduled, Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya  unfurled  the national flag in Guwahati and paid  tributes to the martyrs, where he said that the State government is committed to maintain law & order with effective actions against social menaces like drug abuse, child marriage and human trafficking. State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while unfurling the Tri-colour in Dibrugarh, announced that the eastern town will soon have a legislative assembly complex, where Tezpur will emerge as the State’s cultural capital and Silchar will house a mini secretariat. Manipur Guv Ajay Kumar Bhalla unfurled the national flag at Kangla fort in the presence of State CM N Biren Singh and other dignitaries. Arunachal Pradesh Guv KT Parnaik, Tripura Guv Indrasena Reddy Nallu, Meghalaya Guv CH Vijayashankar, Nagaland Guv La Ganesan, Mizoram Guv Vijay Kumar Singh and Sikkim Guv Om Prakash Mathur also offered honour to the Tri-colour and remembered the sacrifices made by countless individuals for the nation. 

The militant groups, who once jointly dictated the residents to boycott R-Day and Independence Day functions are now split into different factions even in urging the people to avoid the celebration. Denouncing the boycott call by the militant outfits, the nationalist citizens appealed everyone settling in the region to observe the R-Day unfurling the Tri-colour in both individual and community level celebrations. Patriotic Peoples’ Front Assam also reminded that a number of brave-hearts including Kanaklata Barua, Mukunda Kakoti, Kushal Konwar, Tilak Deka, Bhogeswari Phukanani, Nidhanu Rajbangshi, Kamala Miri, Lerela Boro, Madan Barman, Rauta Kachari, Hemoram Patar, Gunavi Bordoloi, Thagi Sut, Balaram Sut, etc laid down their lives for the honour of Tri-colour, adding that the national flag does not belong to the government alone (but the citizens of Bharat) and hence it should be a moral responsibility for each and every Bharatiya to pay tribute to the martyrs on both R-Day and Independence Day.