New Delhi, Oct. 18 -- The display of the Tricolour has taken centre stage in the debate on patriotism, dissent and protest -- from the government's 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign ahead of Independence Day to the Cockroach Janta Party's 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march.
The CJP had called the march to rally support after the arrest of its activists who entered the Jantar Mantar area, which was denotified as a protest site, and raised slogans against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar while holding the national flag.
The proposed CJP protest with the Tricolour at Connaught Place on October 16 was restricted by the Delhi Police, which cited the absence of permission, prohibitory orders and stampede risk. Over 20 police personnel visited CJP founder Abhijit Dipke's Delhi residence and served him two notices hours before the march was scheduled to begin.
"Holding the Tricolour is not a crime" -- was the unified chorus as the restrictions drew criticism from Opposition leaders, activists and academics, who questioned why a demonstration centred on the national flag was being prevented.
"The police not allowing us to hold the march shows the government's cowardice. Why are those who advocate for 'Har Ghar Tiranga' so scared of the Tricolour on the streets?" NCP (SP) spokesperson Anish Gawande told news agency ahead of the march.
Actor Prakash Raj, who is backing the CJP's stir for the resignation of the CEC, questioned the restrictions in a video message on X, drawing a comparison with the government's flag campaign.
"The fear is evident. I'm asking Modiji, what happened to your Har Ghar Tiranga slogan? You are the one who started Har Ghar Tiranga, and you will now arrest students, youngsters for going for a march of peaceful protest?" he said.
"We are armed with the Constitution. We are armed with the right to protest," he added.
However, the BJP questioned the intent of protesters, alleging that they were diminishing the dignity of the Tricolour by using it to push their politics.
"Just check their homes; you will likely find that they did not hoist the Tricolour between August 13 and 15. Yet, today, they are carrying the Tricolour in Delhi in an attempt to create disorder," BJP chief Nitin Nabin said.
"The prime minister has already introduced the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' initiative for the entire nation. The Tricolour is a symbol of our honour, prestige and pride. We will never allow its dignity to be diminished. .. It can never ever be a symbol of anarchy," the BJP chief said.
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022 as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations marking 75 years of Independence, the 'Har Ghar Tiranga'
campaign encouraged citizens to hoist the national flag at their homes to foster patriotism and national pride.
"Strange that the national flag is forbidden in India. We will hold the Tiranga and continue to stand on the streets of Delhi, however hard they try to suppress us," CPI(M) MP John Brittas said during the march.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.