RAISINA HILL: BEATING THE RETREAT OR BEATING THEM TILL THEY RETREAT?

Raisina Hill: ___________________________________________________________________

BEATING THE RETREAT OR BEATING THEM TILL THEY RETREAT?

The name Raisina Hill invokes images of the sun setting on the horizon on a winter evening in the city of New Delhi, flags proudly fluttering on the imposing ramparts of the North & South Block and the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the background. The nation witnessed the Beating of the Retreat for the 63 rd time at Vijay Chowk early this year with the President and Prime Minister and a horde of dignitaries and diplomats in attendance. They were treated with deferential respect worthy of the historical venue and the occasion while the Armed Forces bands played tunes to remind us that we are a proud democratic nation.  

As the sun sets, the melancholy notes of a bugle sound and the “Abide with me” prayer plays out to the chimes of the bell coming from a distance makes the rendition and the event very serene. 

Cut to the recent events where a massive spontaneous protest by young women, students and common citizens was sparked by the brutal rape and violence inflicted on a young medical student in a bus driven on the crowded streets of the capital of India. As these people peacefully protested and demanded justice at this venue which represents freedom and democracy they were greeted by hastily erected barricades to protect the sanctity of the VVIP’s, had tear gas and water cannons used against them and finally brutally beaten with “lathis” in a mindless orgy of  violence by uncontrollable policemen.

One image continues to stand out among all the ghastly images of police brutality – that of a sub-inspector in full uniform and polished shoes grinning with pleasure as he slams his “lathi” into the back of a young girl in jeans while his fellow policemen are grinning in the background! Ironically he is a “public servant” whose salary, uniform, shoes and even the “lathii” he is using are paid for by people like the young girl he is beating!

 Republic Day commemorates the date on which the Constitution of India came into force. To mark the importance of the occasion, every year a grand parade is held in the capital, New Delhi, along the Rajpath, past India Gate to Vijay Chowk.   The President comes forward to award the medals of bravery to the people who have distinguished themselves by their different acts of valour in different situations. Children who receive the National Bravery Award ride past the spectators on colourfully decorated elephants. The India Gate, Vijay Chowk, Raisina Hill are historical venues that celebrate how the common people supressed by an unpopular regime revolted through peaceful protests and won their freedom & independence as a free nation called India.

In PART III of the Constitution of India under FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS is the Right to Freedom which says -

19. Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc.—(1) All citizens shall have the right—

(a) to freedom of speech and expression;

(b) to assemble peaceably and without arms;

(c) to form associations or unions;

(d) to move freely throughout the territory of India;

So here we have a revered location where in a few weeks the nation will be celebrating the birth of the Constitution of India for the 63rd time!

At this same location we are witnessing the murder of the fundamental provisions of the Constitution of India!

Since Independence there have been many rally’s held at this venue. Indira Gandhi’s last rally, the Kisan Rally, was held in 1982 at the Boat Club near India Gate and around 10 lakh attended that rally! Some rallies have been peaceful, some have been chaotic and unruly, disrupting normal life in the Capital for days.

But in most cases the Government had handled them with caution and kid gloves. The reason is that these were political rally’s with a distinct vote bank like the Kisan or the Dalit in majority and the Government would never dare to upset these groups or votrbanks.

The present protest rally at Rajpath was a spontaneous reaction to the brutal & inhuman violation and rape of a young girl. It was a heartfelt cry from girls, students, women and concerned citizens who felt her pain and were afraid that one day this could happen to them or their daughters.   Extreme crimes necessitate extreme measures! This dithering Government is incapable of taking any decisions on matters that do not pertain to either their benefits or perpetuating their hold on power.

The latest response of the administration to these injuries caused to harmless women and people during the “lathi” charges and tear gassing is that it was “collateral damage”.  These days it is foolish to expect people in positions of power to resign on grounds of moral responsibility as that would imply you have some sense of morality!

So now I have these two images in my mind – one of serene beauty and historic tradition as the Beating the Retreat ceremony is conducted and the other of the savage and mindless violence being inflicted on ordinary citizens of India. Both events are at the same historic venue ironically named Vijay Chowk.

While I find it difficult to juxtapose these images I leave it to you to decide who’s victory do we celebrate at Vijay Chowk!