In this environment of supreme "nationalism", two short films/videos can be recalled which dominate the social media, specially on the occasion of Republic Day/Independence and a few days prior to it.
A poor little boy is seen to be selling paper flags at a busy street intersection of a large city when the traffic signal is red for traffic. Few stranded vehicle owners or their companions are also buying it. Now a woman scooterist acting as "conscience of the nation" refuses to buy it and also asks others not to buy it as the said objects "do not adhere to the flag code of India"! At that very juncture, a waiting police officer on bike "takes up the case", applauds the advocate lady for her "sense of duty as a citizen" and narrates the legal consequences of selling paper flags, thereby "dishonouring" the nation as the flags might get trampled under feet or discarded as garbage later on! As if that is not enough, the poor chap is seen to beg apology to all by holding his own ears! Yes, our "duty" as a "true patriot" has been truly accomplished!
But the greatest amusing or sad aspect remains that not a single soul (right from the the waiting lady and police officer to the public who were overhearing the conversation to the director/producer of the film) feels a bit dishonoured or insulted as an Indian on viewing the plight of the hapless innocent boy who had to sell "illegal" flags on streets just to put a balm on his starving stomach! Yes, "due respect" to the symbols of the nation are far, far more important than the daily trampling of human rights (food-education-shelter-dignity) of the unfortunate boy who actually forms a part of the real nation!
What a tragedy! Just like the "flag code", when will India see a "human code" as well! And would the "nationalists" courageously come forward and hold honesty enough to apologise to the billions of Indian children by holding their own ears for robbing (directly/indirectly) the childhood of these vulnerable innocents in such a heartless fashion?
The "love" for the country being displayed by the "nationalists" is increasing with each passing year. Let the human rights of innumerable Indians and children get religiously trampled under marauding feet of the vested interests; but the symbols of the nation like flags and anthems can never be unfurled or sung the "wrong" way!
Another video shows a young man wooing a lady by handing over a flower to her. As he was returning towards his waiting friends with the lady smilingly looking at him, a little girl emerged in the scene with a bunch of flags in hand. The girl insisted that the lady take a flag. The lady reluctantly took it with her eyes still fixed on the smiling man. Few moments later she discarded the flag on the roadside. Witnessing the scene, the man became angry, walked towards the lady, snatched the flower which he himself had handed to her a few minutes earlier and landed a tight slap on her face! As he was returning, his friends were clapping in unison in respect for him as if he had saved a person from drowning to death by risking his own life! Oh what an example of machismo and heroism!
Even if it is taken for granted that the lady had committed an "unpardonable" offence by "insulting" the nation through her act of discarding the flag; still that person held no democratic, legal or Constitutional right to indulge in any sort of physical violence. His "nationalist" act of slapping the lady would have merited exemplary punishment in any truly civilised nation.
Secondly, why don't the blood of our "hero" get boiled when billions of oppressed Indians(specially child labourers) get routinely tortured, exploited and assaulted by the vested interests? Will the "nationalist" brigade(who are coming up with such video/ applauding it warmly just like the friends of our "hero" clapping in unison following his "great" act of slapping a lady/ forwarding it to their contacts) dare to display their guts by physically taking on the crude brute lot who are destroying the nation through indulgence in corruption, violence, communalism, casteism and racism?
The "nationalism" of the "patriots" have assumed such a Himalayan height that not only violence in the name of "protecting national honour" is being encouraged barbarically, the cowardly act of slapping a lady is also being "glamorised" to such a vulgar extent!
(The views expressed are personal)
