We, the People of India Celebrate Republic Day To Preserve Democracy And The Ganga-Jamuni Culture Of Our Country

By Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam 25 January 2023 Commemorating Sacrifices, Martyrs, Diversity, Democracy, And Secularism On January 26 Main Points: 1. Republic Day, observed on January 26, commemorates the day the country achieved democracy, in which case its own laws were applied to its own citizens. 2. The blood of Indians stained every page of the history of independence. 3. The history of India's independence will never be complete if the sacrifices made by Muslims during the battle of independence are separated. 4. Everywhere in the country, this day is commemorated as a public holiday, and government and educational institutions arrange "Republic Day Celebration" events. 5. In the mosques and Madrasahs, prayers are sought for the development and prosperity of the nation, for interfaith unity, and for the security and guidance of the roving people. 6. On that day, our intellectuals underline the need to preserve Indian democracy. 7. The most important and distinctive feature of the Indian Constitution is that it guarantees complete freedom to all citizens of the country, irrespective of their beliefs or ideologies. ----- --------------------------------------------------------------- “We The People Of India, Having Solemnly Resolved To Constitute India Into A Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic And To Secure To All Its Citizens: Justice, Social, Economic And Political; Liberty Of Thought, Expression, Belief, Faith And Worship; Equality Of Status And Of Opportunity; And To Promote Among Them All Fraternity Assuring The Dignity Of The Individual, And The Unity And Integrity Of The Nation. In Our Constituent Assembly This Twenty-Sixth Day Of November 1949, Do Hereby Adopt, Enact And Give To Ourselves This Constitution” --------------------------------------------------------------- Two days unquestionably played a significant role in the history of our beloved India. The first is on August 15, Independence Day, the day our nation was freed from British savagery, and the second is on January 26, Republic Day, the day the nation became democratic, meaning that its own laws were applied to its own people. On August 29, 1947, a seven-person committee led by Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar was constituted to write the constitution for independent India. It took two years, eleven months, and eighteen days to draft the existing constitution of the country. Before it was enacted on November 26, 1949, every article of this new constitution was openly discussed throughout multiple sessions of the Constituent Assembly. On January 24, 1950, following a brief meeting, all the members approved the revised constitution. To commemorate the inaugural "Republic Day" on January 26, 1950, this new law was enacted. Because of this constitution, our country is referred to as a democratic one. It is celebrated with fervour and grandeur, much as 15 August 1947 became the national and memorial day of the country. Exactly why is January 26 observed as a holiday? So let's read through the history books. This holiday was not given to Indians for free. They had to make significant sacrifices for this. Millions of lives had to be given up before Indians were given the chance to rejoice on January 26. In 1601 the British made their first caravan to India. This computation indicates that the British left India in 1947, 346 years after their arrival. A lengthy tale of brutality and cruelty was penned during this time. The blood of Indians stained every page of the history of independence. The Muslims did not trail behind anyone; rather, the Muslims were in the foreground of those who dove into the flames with the spirit of freedom and wrapped their heads in the British fire for the survival of the beloved country, its culture, and civilization. The history of India's independence will never be complete if the sacrifices made by Muslims during the battle of independence are separated. The Constitution that India accepted on January 26, 1950, begins with the following extraordinarily lovely lines: “We the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic and to secure to all its citizens: Justice, social, economic and political; liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; equality of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual, and the unity and integrity of the nation. In our constituent assembly this twenty-sixth day of November 1949, do hereby adopt, enact and give to ourselves this constitution” Of course, the most important and distinctive feature of the Indian Constitution is that it guarantees complete freedom to all citizens of the country, irrespective of their beliefs or ideologies, enabling them to openly practise their religion, share their moral convictions, live in peace with their own identities and traditions, and develop their own language, culture, and civilization. Nobody has the right to meddle with any religion, culture, language, or civilisation, to attack its religious places, or to change its personal laws. The "Indian republic" is a superb structure in this regard. Here, people from all cultures and ideologies reside. India is a democratic country home to admirers of various dialects, religions, castes, colours, and traditions. Here, the Ganga-Jamuni culture and the atmosphere of civilisation have persisted for millennia. The unique qualities of this place are friendship, love, fraternity, solidarity, equality, and brotherhood. Songs of adoration are performed on January 26 in honour of the cherished nation of India, its constitution, and the martyrs who gave their lives to ensure the nation's freedom. Exclusive honours are also given to veterans and the constitution's authors. Everywhere in the country, this day is commemorated as a public holiday, and government and educational institutions arrange "Republic Day Celebration" events. In every province, ceremonies are organised at key landmarks, along with cultural events. Numerous people leave their homes. Islamic Madrasahs, schools, universities, junctions, and public and private buildings all fly the national flags. Residential neighbourhoods, cultural institutions, and social organisations all host large celebrations for their recreational programmes. In the mosques and Madrasahs, prayers are sought for the development and prosperity of the nation, for interfaith unity, and for the security and guidance of the roving people. The National Anthem and other patriotic songs are sung in a melodious manner. On this day, speeches are also made about the value of democracy and secularism. On this day, our intellectuals underline the need to preserve Indian democracy. Every Indian should be completely free to practise any religion or belief they choose. Each person should have complete freedom to live and eat. Every Indian should receive government services as a citizen of India, notably justice for minorities. All Indian religions—Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian—must coexist in harmony with one another. The safety and advancement of the nation should be the top priorities for all brothers in the homeland. Additionally, it is agreed upon that everyone should uphold the national constitution. But during the past few years, some brothers with a particular mentality in the country have disregarded the constitution; targeted minorities encouraged sectarianism, and played games in the guise of religion and dharma. All of this indicates that democracy in the nation has suffered greatly. It is obvious that the objectives of some miscreants are bad given how they have ensnared the national democracy with their murderous claws and how they are trampling on its democratic integrity on a daily basis. In order for democracy to survive and for the security of the constitution to be preserved, it is imperative that the government and all the brothers of the country—both Muslims and non-Muslims—join forces to thwart the plans of the miscreants. Only then will we be able to rightly say that we live in the largest democratic country in the world and that we become sincere to celebrate Republic Day. ----- A regular Columnist with NewAgeIslam.com, Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi Dehlvi is a Classical Islamic scholar with a Sufi background and English-Arabic-Urdu Translator. URL: https://newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/india-celebrate-republic-democracy-ganga-jamuni-culture-/d/128963 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism