Saluting the Flag

It seems the Age of Firmans is firmly upon us. One day one constitutional authority issues a firman to demonetise currency notes, and, then keeps on issuing firman after firman, amending the original firman. Now the Supreme Court has joined in the fun. A two-judge bench has decreed that national anthem must be played in cinema halls before a feature film starts and all those present inside the hall would be obliged to stand up as a mark of respect. No one should have a reason to quibble with the sentiment behind the hon’ble court's order. Their Lordships, though, have left it rather vague as to what happens to anyone who may seem to be in less than total compliance with the judicial firman. Their Lordships have made it clear that they expect all the Chief Secretaries to enforce the judicial order. Suddenly, one more minatory layer stands imposed on the citizens. 

All nation-states are artificial constructs. Consequently, all societies find themselves having to devise collective symbols of veneration and respect; and, all societies expect their citizens to observe the rites of outward obeisance to national symbols, flags, anthems. The society and its institutions like schools take it upon themselves to inculcate among the young a sense of collective solidarity, a bond of belonging. We have also exquisitely crafted republican rites like the Republic Day Parade and the Independence Day celebration at the Red Fort. Like other nations, we have our own rituals and ceremonies to reaffirm and restate our collective existence.   

Yet there is something less than reassuring in this essay in judicial populism.  It is neither the role nor the place of the judiciary to insist on instilling “a sense of committed patriotism and nationalism.” That is a task best left to social reformers, political demagogues and cultural taste-makers. Nationalism is a noble sentiment; its spiritual luminosity is sufficient in itself of extracting a coherence of belief, loyalty and instant respect from the citizen. An enforced nationalism can only be a shallow, and perhaps, a shabby bond. Even without the benefit of a judicial firman, India and its people are perfectly capable of producing a joyful celebration of our collective destiny and dreams. Jai Hind!