United we stand
There is much in the country that should have gone differently, and yet there is no gainsaying that the feeling of nationhood in the average Indian can said to have consolidated with the passage of time.
That the 64th Republic Day was observed throughout India with state pomp and public jubilation, indicated by popular participation in official functions, where feasible, last Saturday, is a reminder that our fellow citizens are proud to stand by the founding principles of the republic — essentially democracy, justice and the prospect of advancement for all.
In general, there was no sign of anything but normal activity in the Northeast and in J&K, where one might look for signs of trouble on Republic Day and Independence Day. In Assam, the militant outfit Ulfa gave a call to the people to boycott official functions, but no one seems to have taken notice. This is plainly because Ulfa has discredited itself, and its capacity to cause violence and find safe havens in Bangladesh have been degraded by appropriate political and police action.
In Kashmir, official celebrations took place normally in all districts, but the people stayed off the streets on account of a protest call by the secessionist Hurriyat. This is not on account of any admiration for Hurriyat but fear that its cadres may cause them physical harm afterwards. The terrorist outfits usually try to remain relevant but have failed in Kashmir.
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