Flying the Tri-Colour in Jammu & Kashmir

Flying the Tri-Colour in Jammu & Kashmir

There has been a huge furore about the BJP's plans to fly our National Flag at Lal Chowk on Republic Day.

On the one hand, BJP honchos say that "We have a right to fly the National Flag in any part of India. Lal Chowk, located well within Jammu & Kashmir, is very much a part of India. Hence, we have every right to fly the National Flag at Lal Chowk".

Other political parties in general, and National Conference (led by Omar Abdullah) in particular, maintain that "This is nothing but a political stunt by the BJP. They very well know and are aware of the sensitive situation prevailing in Jammu & Kashmir, and particularly at Lal Chowk. Flying the National Flag at Lal Chowk at this juncture will be a highly provocative act. The situation is explosive. Many anti-social elements and the separatists will use the provocation as an excuse to increase their own brand of violent provocations. This would, in turn, scuttle the ongoing peace process".

Both the views are entirely valid. It is precisely at such points in time that we need to rise to the occasion and be reminded of the words of wisdom attributed (wrongly, according to many) to Voltaire: "I disagree with every word of what you say, but will fight to the very end supporting your right to say those words".

It is entirely true that if I were to be in the position of the BJP, I would have kept in mind the sentiments of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, as presented by the State Governement, and would have made a declaration on the following lines:

"We strongly believe that Lal Chowk, being an integral part of India, should celebrate the Republic Day, just like any other part of India. We ought to ensure that the Indian citizens living in the area must, voluntarily, with pride and joy, hoist the National Flag on the Republic Day, just as all citizens elswhere in the country do.
However, in response to the request from the State Government, keeping in mind the larger interest of the safety and security of our own citizens, and to avoid playing into the hands of the militant separatists, we have decided to refrain from insisting on our natural right to hoist the National Flag at Lal Chowk on this occasion.
Nevertheless, we also desire to move towards creating an atmosphere that will be conducive to enable ALL of us to hoist the National Flag with joy and pride by the next Republic Day.
In order to achieve the same, with immediate effect, we will take the following steps:

Launch a mass movement at the grassroots level in every town and village of Jammu & Kashmir emphasising the importance of National Symbols like our Flag.
Start a plethora of people-oriented welfare schemes in every nook and corner of Jammu & Kashmir that will be funded by BJP leaders and party workers from across the length and breadth of the country, with a special focus on:

Primary and secondary Education for children below the age of 14
Primary Health Centres to ensure free / subsidised medical care for all
Employment Generation - by motivating rich Indians from around the world to invest in Jammu & Kashmir.

We believe that the above steps that we will take in the weeks and months ahead will ensure that the people of Jammu & Kashmir actually invite all of us to hoist the National Flag at Lal Chowk on January 26, 2012."

However, I am not running the BJP.

Further, I don't agree with the present thought processes of the BJP leaders on this particular issue. The BJP has no business to be playing with fire by indulging in such activities against the judgement of the local leaders of Jammu & Kashmir.

Nevertheless, I would still insist that Lal Chowk is an integral part of India. If the BJP, in its wisdom, chooses to hoist the National Flag on January 26, 2011, I strongly believe that it must simply go ahead. As must be obvious, it is their right to do so. So I would not like to even use words to suggest that "They must be allowed to do so".

After all, if I already have a right to do something, who else has any business to affirm that I have a right to do the very same thing?

If any subversive element tries to prevent the BJP from hoisting the National Flag, those elements should be taken to task and prevented from indulging in such illegal activities. It is the responsibility of the State Government to ensure that full security is provided to the BJP leaders and workers who wish to hoist the National Flag at Lal Chowk.

If the State Government refuses to do so, the Centre should intervene and ensure that nobody is prevented from Hoisting the National Flag at Lal Chowk or anywhere else in the country.

Any government which does not have the ability or willingness to enforce the rule of law (which includes the right to hoist the National Flag) should simply resign and give way to others who can.

To repeat myself for emphasis:

I don't agree with the present thought processes of the BJP leaders on this particular issue. The BJP has no business to be playing with fire by indulging in such activities against the judgement of the local leaders of Jammu & Kashmir. But my opinion is of no relevance - The BJP leaders and workers have a right to hoist the National Flag at Lal Chowk and this right must not be denied to them.

Regards,