An advertisement in the local newspaper from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting read “Nation observes 31 October as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who unified the country.” Every citizen was supposed to take the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas pledge and participate in the Run for Unity.
Once in 365 days, the government realizes the contribution made by great personalities for the unity of the country. As if to save its face, it makes public declarations to this effect. Where do these feelings and sentiments vanish for the remaining 364 days?
The government is not serious about the unity of this country. No effort is spared by politicians to put one citizen against another, one community against another, one caste against another, one state against another, one country against another. Politicians incite caste feelings and communal sentiments by passing derogatory remarks. This is seen particularly at the time of elections. This just helps them to rope in a few extra votes. A majority of our people, particularly the economically backward, get carried away by such fiery speeches and the political leaders can garner extra mileage.
The recent ban on sale of meat on particular festival days, the lynching of people when rumours are being spread with regard to beef, the hulabaloo in connection with cow slaughter and the selling and eating of beef is all created by the government. People are not at all concerned about these things. They are fanned by political leaders. The government does not come out openly with any statement condemning such acts, leave alone punishing people who indulge in such activities. When pressure mounts upon the government, it refers to these incidents as ‘unfortunate’. We refer to the death or accident of our loved one as an unfortunate incident, Can we treat them on the same level?
In India, the Dalits, Christians and Muslims are always at the receiving end of violence and discrimination. What steps has the government taken to spread the message of unity on the ground and make these communities feel secure? People go out of their way to mingle with one another, participate in one another’s festivals and even help one another in times of need.
A Run for Unity was held on 31 October in Delhi. Does the government think that ‘runs’ can bring unity in the country? Such tokenism is only a way of fooling people, wasting money and getting cheap publicity. Our government seems to be resorting to such tactics too frequently. It is rightly said, ‘you can fool some people some of the time, all the people some of the time but not all the people all the time.’ People can see through such gimmicks easily.
The Rashtriya Ekta Diwas pledge expresses noble thoughts. But it is not necessary for the common man to take this pledge. It should be taken by those in power who are the guardians of the unity, well-being, integrity and security of the nation and its people.
