Why celebrate India’s 75th Republic Day?

Republic Day signifies the day that India adopted its constitution – a seminal work that incorporates best ideas of the world. This document was a result of “intense” dialogues between various stakeholders holders of the newly formed India. Our founding fathers wanted us to respect all Indians as equals irrespective of faith and caste.

Where are we today? Do we deserve to celebrate Republic Day? Clearly we don’t! When a common man today has no power, when the state is still more powerful than the citizen. When there is no justice in courts. When police serves its masters and not us. When people with different points of view are called “Pakistanis” and asked to go there – what are we doing to the constitution? In the hearts and minds of Indians – today NO ONE follows the constitution in letter AND spirit! The dialogue that existed between Indians in 1950 has unravelled. Like religions, democracy based on the constitution has also become an exercise of subjectivity where one group believes in what Governments are doing. Another group opposes it tooth and nail!

Still you say Happy Republic Day?

Why? Have we also become blind?