A nation 70 years old which holds a global image of the fastest emerging economy, is still struggling to find its ideological stance on religion & nationalism.
India’s potential shift towards religious extremism and frequently raised questions over patriotism seem to overshadow the genuine issues a rapidly growing nation should focus.
Such news when I see circulating among the media makes me sad and sure it frustrates every citizen who holds high hopes for India as a developed nation.
Came across this recently: RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat was recently restrained from hoisting the national flag on Independence Day in Karnnaki Amman school in Palakkad because only elected representatives or functionaries of the school are allowed to do so in aided schools.
After the incident, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said that the state will seek legal opinion on the legality of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat hoisting the national flag at a government-aided school.
This statement from the Chief Minister is as pathetic as it sounds because there are no rules referring as to who has the right to hoist a flag and who hasn’t. Every citizen holds the equal right in this country.
The CPI(M) on Wednesday had asked the Kerala government to register a case against Bhagwat in alleged violation of an official order. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) challenged the Collector’s decision; standing affirmative that Bhagwat would hoist the flag.
On the other hand, the Congress leader V. M. Sudheran unfurled the tricolor in government aided private school and no questions were raised.
This clearly shows the political stunt and partial inclination of Kerala government to play the blame game on sensitive topics like someone’s patriotism.
District Collector of Palakkad P. Marykutty, who had issued restraining orders to prevent Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat from hoisting the national flag at a government school on Independence Day, was transferred on Thursday.The Kerala Government, however, said that it’s a “routine transfer” since four other District Collectors have also been transferred with Marykutty in a reshuffle announced on Thursday.
Such events make me sad and enraged at the same time because flag hoisting is a constitutional right and should not be given ownership to anyone. The Kerala government not only need to think about what they are saying but also about the consequences their actions and statements the society might interpret.
A story by Vishwavijay Rana
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