By Samikhsya Bureau
If it is not saffronisation then what, is the general notion created by the diktat from the Gujrat government that during roll calls now the students have to respond by not saying ‘yes sir’ but,instead,
say Jai Bharat or Jai Hind. This is the latest buzz around in Gujrat where all students from government and grant-in-aid schools shall be compelled to respond by Jai Bharat or Jai Hind.
Now the argument that comes forward that those who in rest part of the country do not say Jai Hind or Jai Bharat once in a day, are anti-nationals or do not love the nation ? What kind of new yardstick
to measure patriotism because the Gujrat government defends its diktat on students saying that this will build up more patriotism and love for India. Many critics find such an order as a clumsy narrative to
be set and redefine patriotism. Does this mean that patriotism can be reduced to a symbolic prefix .
Jai Hind or Jai Bharat during the roll calls can certainly not be made a template for nationalism . In fact there is nothing wrong if a students responds by saying Jai Hind but to brand all who do not do
that as less patriots seems to be a weak logic. In few countries there is a practice of each citizen serving the nation by being in the army for couple of years and why a similar module is being followed in India. Which must apply to politicians as well who have proved more often than not common behind all communal conflagrations and all such avoidable acts of dividing the people for votes. How many people from within the legislative community adhere to such ideals. But we tolerate all those perfidious utterances from leaders and separatists from Kashmir and yet play host to their posh
lifestyles.
