Editorial: Let's make India republic again
By: Iftikhar Islam
On 26th January 1950 India became republic with an aim to regain the title of “Golden Bird”. The political thinkers and educationists of those times strived hard to accomplish the dream of making India the great again and fought for the freedom. We got freedom with a challenge to build the great nation that depicts the example of unity in diversity.
India is the only country with many faiths and languages – each one respecting the feelings of the others. We find mosques, temples and churches besides each other. India is the only country on earth which celebrates almost every festival.
The Preamble of the Indian Constitution says: “WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all; FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation; IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this 26th day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.”
However, we find the true values of the preamble of Indian Constitution is being degraded now and then. The Democratic values are being tarnished. The Liberty guaranteed is being destroyed. The fraternity is being challenged. The equality and justice has disappeared. The secular notion is missing day by day. The real purpose of making India republic is forgotten.
If we flip the pages of the history after republic, the incidents on minorities will put India to shame. Kolkata Riots 1964, Gujarat Riots 1969, Nellie Massacre 1983, Anti-Sikh Riots (Sikh Massacre) 1984, Bhiwandi Riots 1970, Moradabad Riots 1980, Gujarat Riots 1985, Hashimpura Massacre 1987, Bhagalpur Riots 1989, Bombay Riots 1992, and Gujarat Pogrom 2002, Khairlanji Massacre 2006, Vadodara Riots 2006, Assam Violence 2014, are few in the list.
The attacks on minorities have increased in the name of Love Jihad, Cow Protection, Illegal immigrants, and Religious Conversion. Dadri Mob Lynching 2015, Dimapur mob lynching 2015, Jharkhand mob lynching 2016, Alwar mob lynching 2017 are few of the mob attacks done on minorities. A techie Mohsin was killed in Pune, Junaid was brutally murdered in a running train (who received 50 marks of injury with knife), Afrazul Khan was ferociously burnt alive by a person named Shambhu Lal.
In 2015, a church building under construction was vandalised in Haryana. St. George church in Mumbai was also attacked by masked persons. According to Evangelical Fellowship of India, in the first 100 days since Yogi Adityanath assumed office as Chief Minister on March 19, 2017, there were 16 reported incidents of violence against Christians in U.P. alone.
This is how we as Indians have really failed to uphold the values of the preamble of the Constitution. The present leaders, be it the Members of Parliament, Chief Ministers, Home Minister or the Prime Minister, have deliberately failed to deliver justice and equality. The attitude shown by these leaders to the incidents that took place (and is taking place) across the country is totally unacceptable in this largest democratic country. The citizens need to play their role and stop the atrocities against the fellow citizens. Stand up for truth and justice, no matter against whom you need to stand.
Let us get united and defeat the fascist forces that are working hard to divide India on communal grounds. Be that force which made India a republic nation and be the example of unity in diversity. Let us make India republic again.
On 26th January 1950 India became republic with an aim to regain the title of “Golden Bird”. The political thinkers and educationists of those times strived hard to accomplish the dream of making India the great again and fought for the freedom. We got freedom with a challenge to build the great nation that depicts the example of unity in diversity.
India is the only country with many faiths and languages – each one respecting the feelings of the others. We find mosques, temples and churches besides each other. India is the only country on earth which celebrates almost every festival.
The Preamble of the Indian Constitution says: “WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all; FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation; IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this 26th day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.”
However, we find the true values of the preamble of Indian Constitution is being degraded now and then. The Democratic values are being tarnished. The Liberty guaranteed is being destroyed. The fraternity is being challenged. The equality and justice has disappeared. The secular notion is missing day by day. The real purpose of making India republic is forgotten.
If we flip the pages of the history after republic, the incidents on minorities will put India to shame. Kolkata Riots 1964, Gujarat Riots 1969, Nellie Massacre 1983, Anti-Sikh Riots (Sikh Massacre) 1984, Bhiwandi Riots 1970, Moradabad Riots 1980, Gujarat Riots 1985, Hashimpura Massacre 1987, Bhagalpur Riots 1989, Bombay Riots 1992, and Gujarat Pogrom 2002, Khairlanji Massacre 2006, Vadodara Riots 2006, Assam Violence 2014, are few in the list.
The attacks on minorities have increased in the name of Love Jihad, Cow Protection, Illegal immigrants, and Religious Conversion. Dadri Mob Lynching 2015, Dimapur mob lynching 2015, Jharkhand mob lynching 2016, Alwar mob lynching 2017 are few of the mob attacks done on minorities. A techie Mohsin was killed in Pune, Junaid was brutally murdered in a running train (who received 50 marks of injury with knife), Afrazul Khan was ferociously burnt alive by a person named Shambhu Lal.
In 2015, a church building under construction was vandalised in Haryana. St. George church in Mumbai was also attacked by masked persons. According to Evangelical Fellowship of India, in the first 100 days since Yogi Adityanath assumed office as Chief Minister on March 19, 2017, there were 16 reported incidents of violence against Christians in U.P. alone.
This is how we as Indians have really failed to uphold the values of the preamble of the Constitution. The present leaders, be it the Members of Parliament, Chief Ministers, Home Minister or the Prime Minister, have deliberately failed to deliver justice and equality. The attitude shown by these leaders to the incidents that took place (and is taking place) across the country is totally unacceptable in this largest democratic country. The citizens need to play their role and stop the atrocities against the fellow citizens. Stand up for truth and justice, no matter against whom you need to stand.
Let us get united and defeat the fascist forces that are working hard to divide India on communal grounds. Be that force which made India a republic nation and be the example of unity in diversity. Let us make India republic again.
About the Author:
Iftikhar Islam is the Founder-Administrator of Excellence Foundation and GPRF Network, Editor-in-Chief Truth Arrived and Passionate Writers. He is an ardent of Islam, Comparative Religions, Education, Entrepreneurship, Media and Law. | Know More |
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