Northeast India rediscovers Tricolour
Sourcew: lankaweb
Nava Thakuria
When Gandhian Anna Hazare ended his hunger strike (after fasting for 12
full days) following Indian Parliament’s resolution for a stronger
anti-graft law, he himself said it was half-victory. But nobody denied
that millions of common Indians rallied behind him for a Jan Lokpal and
finally the law makers had to bow down to public furies.
Under the leadership of Anna
Hazare, 74, the up-charge for a public ombudsman that would have the
authority to investigate and punish the corrupt politicians and
bureaucrats including that of Prime Minister’s Office, took the shape
of another Freedom Movement.
The UPA government led by Indian
National Congress initially overlooked the public sentiment and
submitted a seemingly week anti-graft bill in the Parliament. Some of
Congress leaders even made ridiculous statement that Anna Hazare
himself was a corrupt person and so he does not have right to speak
against corruption. The anti-corruption crusader was also put in Tihar
jail for some time, but soon the government faced the hit and was
compelled to retreat.
Meanwhile the civil society
groups under the banner of India Against Corruption, which drafted a
pro-people Lokpal Bill, have poured their supports for a powerful
anti-corruption law. Among many others yoga-guru Ramdev, Art of Living
preacher Rabishankar and Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar
also extended their whole hearted supports to the cause.
Under pressure, Prime Minister
Dr Singh had to open up his mind emphasizing on dialogue with the team
of Anna Hazare to bring an end to the difficult situation for the
government. Dr Singh, while claiming that his government was seriously
undertaking the matter of corruption, however insisted that making a
law needs time as the bill has to pass through various necessary steps.
The Assam chief minister Tarun
Gogoi parroted similar version and argued that he too want to curb the
corruption. But unless common people’s participation, he said, a law
alone cannot check the corruption in our society. Later the head of the
State government on Aug 26 declared that the Assam chief minister
office would be brought under the ambit of Lokayukta following the
Parliament’s final conformity on Lokpal Bill.
While Anna and his team led
protest demonstration at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, various groups
organized demonstrations in every important city and towns of the
country including the alienated Northeast region.
Various socio-political
organizations of Assam joined the movement and the relay hunger strike
by the citizens continued in different places of the State. Members
belonging to Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, All Assam Students’ Union,
AJYCP with various other groups and political parties joined in rallies
and candle lit processions.
In fact, the citizens from all
walks of life expressed their solidarity for Anna’s movement and
responded to the call of ‘India Against Corruption’ for the cause of a
corruption free India. They participated in the relay hunger strike at
Lakshidhar Bora Khetra in Dighalipukhuri locality since August 16 till
August 28.The protesters chanted patriotic slogans and kept the
national flag flying high all the time.
Amusing the people of the
region, United Liberation Front of Assam military chief Paresh Barua,
National Democratic Front of Bodoland chief Ranjan Daimary and Karbi
People’s Liberation Tigers secretary general Nilip Enghi extended their
supports to Anna Hazare for his movement. The militant leaders send
e-mail statements to the media and commented that the Gandhian had led
an important fight against corruption.
Anna and his team comprising
Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi, Shanti Bhushan, Manish Sisodia, Akhil
Gogoi etc may not hit the target till date, but the uprising brought
good news for the patriotic people of Northeast India. The movement has
made it clear that we can fight the government even after saluting the
National flag.
It became almost a rare occasion
to see the tricolour flying in the trouble-torn Northeast. Even the
Independence Day and Republic Day witnessed very few flags hoisted in
the region for many years as the separatist militants continue imposing
diktats on the celebration on both the auspicious Days.
In the conflict ridden
Northeast, it became a routine exercise to ignore (or reject) the
tricolour whenever one talks against the Union government. Hence no
protest demonstrator against New Delhi use to carry the national flag,
as it was understood as the symbol of Central government.
The historic Assam movement
witnessed the worshiping of Gandhi but never adore the national flag.
It was not acceptable to the people that carrying the tricolour one can
raise voice against New Delhi. In fact, the common people simply forgot
that many great souls from the Northeast too sacrificed their lives
with the spirit of our national flag.
But the movement of Anna Hazare
made it clear that the government is not synonymous with the national
flag. So protesting against the government does not necessarily mean
the opposition (or hatred) to the tricolour. Rather every patriotic
Indian should honour the national flag as it resembles our martyrs (of
freedom movement) and definitely not the regime in New Delhi.
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