Amid protests, eminent figures call on citizens to introspect

New Delhi, January 12

Amid agitations against CAA, NPR and NRC, eight eminent persons on Sunday urged the society, including those in power, to reflect on the concerns relating to country’s secularism and pluralism while celebrating success on the completion of 70th year of Republic of India.

“Seventy years of the working of the Constitution provides us an opportunity to celebrate our success, also to introspect and resolve to overcome our shortcomings,” the appeal said in a nuanced critique of the handling of affairs by the Union Government.

The signatories to the appeal include Justice J Chelameswar, former SC judge, SY Quraishi, former Chief Election Commissioner, Lt General Harcharanjit Singh Panag, former Army Commander, filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan and actor Sharmila Tagore.

Batting for each generation’s solemn duty to constantly introspect and audit the working of the Constitution, they said “Is the Constitution a mere administrative manual which enables the elected government to claim legitimacy for abuse of power and allows the citizens to convert liberty into licence disregarding rights of others?” — TNS