Today is the 74th anniversary of India, the world's largest democracy, becoming a sovereign republic. Our great country is full of cultural features and diversity which no other country in the world can claim. Its driving force is the goal envisioned by the architects of new India: to ensure that every generation must benefit from the freedom won by millions of people uniting regardless of religion and caste on the basis of the revolutionary ideal of non-violence against occupying forces. Secularism, democracy, and equality of opportunity are the most empowering values of this sovereign republic. To undermine them in any way is to undermine the nation and its sovereignty. We often try to reassure ourselves that there are no problems in the country due to extreme patriotism. The government is trying to hide many things to make us believe that everything is good here. No matter how vehemently denied, democracy, secularism, and equality are facing strong challenges and threats from many quarters and it is putting sovereignty at risk. That is the bitter reality of today's India.
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One can see so many shocking images of this terrible menace if we look at the events over the past 365 days, starting from the last Republic Day. These include female students being driven away from schools for wearing religious headscarves and even being prevented from writing exams; places of worship being trespassed and encroached upon during a festival occasion; only the people of one community being charged for the same and their properties being demolished by bulldozers; journalists being jailed over fabricated cases; law being abused to imprison opposing media and human rights activists; denial of drinking water on grounds of caste and religion; calling for the conversion of a secular country into a religious country and genocide of its people; convicted rape accused being freed and honored; the lives of the victims being left in fear; and so many rights violations that are not easy to enumerate. Each of these should be seen as an atrocity against a nation, not just a few individuals or a community. Even today, being born into a low caste disqualifies many from drawing water from a public tap. We saw in front of us the brutal incident in which a man was beaten to death over drinking water. Polarisation and riots in the name of caste and religion cannot be eradicated unless the country moves forward with one mind. The deep wounds they inflict cannot be healed.
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Conspiracies are underway to undermine the pillars of democracy using money, influence, and intimidation. If the people's representatives and the government can be replaced with money, then the most valuable word in democracy called the right of consent is challenged. Actions that undermine federal values and take away states' rights are also taking place. Investigative agencies are misused like mercenaries to raid the homes of dissidents. Now, misguided moves have started to corrupt the courts as well. The decisions and positions of the Supreme Court are not beyond criticism. However, no one has the authority to speak in the language of threats to the Supreme Court. Such worrisome attempts raise many questions in people's minds. The answer to all these questions is a strong and powerful constitution of the country. And upholding the Constitution, which guarantees equal rights and equal power to everyone from the President to the most vulnerable citizens, and participating in nation-building according to its commandments is the greatest national service of this time.
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