BY MOHAMMAD TARIQUE SALEEM
On the occasion of the 77th Republic Day, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav hoisted the national flag at the party’s headquarters in the presence of senior leaders and party workers, transforming the ceremonial moment into a sharp reaffirmation of constitutional values. The atmosphere reflected patriotism, but the message delivered was unmistakably political, rooted in a firm defense of the Constitution and a pointed critique of the ruling establishment.
Addressing party workers, Akhilesh Yadav underlined the foundational principle of Indian democracy, stating that considering oneself above the Constitution is not right. His words were framed as a moral advisory, stressing that power in a democracy flows from the Constitution and must always remain subordinate to it. He reminded those in authority that governance is not a matter of personal will or political convenience, but a responsibility bound by constitutional limits.
Raising a question that he said echoes across the public sphere, Akhilesh Yadav asked under which provision of the Constitution cases filed against political leaders were withdrawn. The query struck at the heart of concerns around selective application of law and equality before justice, principles enshrined in the Constitution but, according to him, routinely compromised.
He also took strong exception to repeated public statements that, in his view, demean Sanatani saints, employ derogatory language, and promote a confrontational “bulldozer mentality.” Such rhetoric, he said, not only deepens social divisions but also disrupts religious harmony, particularly during sacred gatherings like the Magh Mela. Akhilesh Yadav further criticized the failure to register cases against elements responsible for disturbances during the event, calling it a serious lapse that undermines rule of law.
According to the Samajwadi Party chief, these actions have exposed what he described as the anti-religion and anti-Constitution face of a power-driven BJP. He asserted that the damage caused by such conduct cannot be undone through symbolic gestures or forced apologies. Apologies, he said, carry meaning only when they come from genuine remorse, not political compulsion. Issuing a broader warning, Akhilesh Yadav reminded those in power that obstinacy ultimately leads to downfall.
He argued that arrogance born of authority erodes democratic institutions and alienates the people. In his concluding remarks, he alleged that the BJP’s ideas, statements, and conduct consistently violate constitutional spirit, and claimed that a politics rooted in constitutional defiance cannot endure in the long run. The Republic Day address thus went beyond ceremony, emerging as a forceful call to restore constitutional morality, accountability, and democratic balance in public life.
