Patriotism on a sleeve

With the Supreme Court observing that the public do not have to wear patriotism on their sleeves, while hearing a plea against playing the national anthem in cinema halls, the debate on how one portrays respect and adoration for one’s motherland has resurfaced yet again. 

Not everyone would have lost their loved ones laying down their lives for the nation and not all can understand the loss. Mahadevi Koppad, wife of Siachen martyr Hanumathappa Koppad from Betadur Village in Hubballi, is one such. To her, patriotism is an unconditional love and concern for one’s country. 

“Every individual citizen of this country must respect the national flag and anthem, no matter where it is played. We must sow the seeds of patriotism in the minds of the young, so that the future generation will love their motherland. The national flag and the anthem are the most important and integral part of our freedom and we must respect them,” Mahadevi says. 

However, fighting for the country alone does not constitute patriotism. It cannot be confined to certain superficial respect one shows to specific symbols, says anti-nuclear activist SP Udayakumar. 

“It is a moral commitment to one’s fellow citizens. It is beyond caste, creed, and religion,” he says. For some, upholding the values which prompted our Independence struggle is also patriotism.  

“One’s love for one’s soil, flag, or tree cannot be called patriotism, but love for people and the future of one’s country. Patriotic fervour will flourish among people when the country acts in favour of the people. There is no point in ruing about patriotic fervour otherwise,” says, Prof Suba Veerapandian, of Dravida Iyakka Tamilar Peravai. 

“Clinging on to these symbols, leaving out the original values associated with patriotism, is akin to self-deceit and ushering others towards the same,” he feels. Educationist Prince Gajendra Babu sees the nation’s freedom struggle as one rooted in the ideology that foreign rulers looted our resources, besides enslaving us. 

“One involuntarily expresses one’s love for one’s parents, home and hometown. A similar boding should emerge. Patriotic fervour should be inculcated by teaching our history and in facilitating people to make this country an all-round rich one. This would definitely pave the way for patriotic feelings, instead of attempting to impose it by means of a flag and an anthem”, he said.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday said that standing during national anthem cannot be a test of someone’s patriotism. “Why one should show patriotism in the cinema hall? What Supreme Court has said is absolutely right and the observation of Justice DY Chandrachud is correct. Standing during national anthem cannot be a test of someone’s patriotism. One can stand on official occasions like August 15, January 26, etc,” Owaisi told ANI.

A few of the official rules, on when the anthem can be played

Civil and military investitures 

When the national flag is brought on parade 

The short version of the anthem shall be played when drinking toasts in defence messes