War Clouds on R-Day
Leader writer: RK Lakhi Kant
Despite being a festive occasion for the nation the last Republic Day and the coming one this year have been marred by the bad news of a massive earthquake last year in Gujarat which killed thousands of people and left many more maimed for life and this year again by the specter of war looming over the two neighboring countries India and Pakistan.
The scenario is so bleak this year that even the Army Day parade held every year on 15 January as a precursor to the Republic Day parade on 26 January has been cancelled. The parade has been cancelled for the first time since 1949 when it was first held to celebrate the appointment of General KM Cariappa as the commander-in-chief of the Indian Army. The holding of the Army Day parade would have involved more than 5000 soldiers including 2000 men for logistical duties.
At the Republic Day parade too this year the army will have only a nominal representation. Every year the parade lasts for 105 minutes but this year due to the army being deployed on the border with Pakistan the show will last for a mere 45 minutes. Only two army units, a mounted column drawn from the 61 Cavalry and a marching column of the Rajputana Rifles, both based in Delhi apart from a few army bands will take part in the parade this time. The Air Force and the Navy though will be represented at the parade.
The absence of the Army at the parade this time is ominous and the message is clear for our neighbors across the border. India is ready for any eventualities in the wake of the attack on the Indian parliament. The message is also that the Indian republic's tolerance level has been stretched to its limit. What is today only a threat of war on Pakistan has the danger of actually being translating into business. The atmosphere is so tense that just a spark from somewhere and the whole sub-continent can go up in flames -- possibly even scorching nuclear radiation.
Republic Day is an important historic day for India. From this day in 1950 India was run on a constitution of its own without any interference from the British government. On this day in New Delhi, the military might of the nation as also its economic development is are put on show at the India Gate. With the spotlight on culture, youth and the armed forces a parade is held that ranks among the best in the world.
Indian culture, unity in diversity and a multi religious and multi lingual India is on show this day. The parade is a mini replica of the Indian state. India being a large democracy, it is not possible to represent the multi dimensions of the country. But by and large the focus is kept on the main elements of what makes this nation. It is a colorful spectacle and a day meant for celebration but since the law and order situation is not good the security of the visitors is a big problem. Not only in Delhi but in other states too the celebrations this time are to be scaled down.
In Manipur the Republic Day has been boycotted by various underground groups, especially in the past few years. Earlier, the occasion was a big show with many tableaus and many gates on the roads but now it is more of an official formality, which has to be gone through. The day is an occasion to put the diverse cultural heritage of the state on show and many troupes used to be part of the celebration but today that too is on the decline.
Crowds are less and public participation is not there. This is unfortunate. What Manipur needs today, and we feel the need more on such occasions, is to have free and frank dialogue between the underground organizations and the government so that there is an amicable and honorable settlement of the problems that have been keeping the state on the boil for so many years now.
(Courtesy: The
Imphal Free Press) |
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