What Exactly Are We Celebrating on Republic Day?

Every year on January 26th, we wave the flag, forward messages saying “Happy Republic Day”, watch parades, and post patriotic quotes. But there’s an uncomfortable question we rarely ask:

What is the point of celebrating Republic Day if the Constitution is being used as a tool for power, not justice?

Republic Day is not about the tricolour. It is not about military displays. It is not about speeches written by public relations teams.

Republic Day exists for one reason only:
To honour the Constitution—and the promise it made to the common citizen.

And that is precisely why this celebration feels hollow today.

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The Constitution Was Meant to Restrain Power, Not Protect It

The Indian Constitution was designed to limit rulers, not glorify them.
It was written to protect citizens from the abuse of authority, ideology, and unchecked power.

Yet today, we see:

• Laws twisted to silence dissent
• Institutions weakened to serve political interests
• Investigative agencies weaponized
• Media converted into propaganda
• Ideology placed above constitutional morality

When this happens, the Constitution is no longer a shield for the people.
It becomes a mask for authoritarianism.

And when that happens, Republic Day turns into theatre.

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Waving the Flag Means Nothing If Rights Are Folded Away

Patriotism is easy when it is ceremonial.
Real patriotism is constitutional loyalty.

You cannot claim to honour the Republic while:

• Ignoring injustice because it’s politically inconvenient
• Calling critics “anti-national” instead of answering their questions
• Using fear, religion, caste, or nationalism to divide citizens
• Treating the Constitution as an obstacle rather than a guide

A Republic is not sustained by slogans. It is sustained by institutions with integrity and citizens with courage.

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When Institutions Fail, Celebration Becomes Complicity

Courts, legislatures, media, police—these were meant to serve the common man.
When they begin serving power instead, the Republic is already bleeding.

At that point, blindly celebrating Republic Day is not patriotism.
It is participation in denial.

History is clear on this: Democracies don’t collapse overnight.
They decay quietly—while people keep celebrating rituals long after values have died.

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Republic Day Is Not a Festival. It Is a Reminder—and a Warning.

Republic Day should make us uncomfortable. It should force us to ask:

• Are laws being applied equally?
• Are institutions independent?
• Are citizens free to question power without fear?
• Are leaders accountable—or untouchable?

If the answer is no, then Republic Day is not a celebration. It is a mirror.

And if we don’t like what we see, the solution is not louder slogans— but louder questions.

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The Real Way to Honour the Republic

The Republic is honoured when:

• Citizens think critically, not blindly
• Leaders fear the Constitution more than citizens fear leaders
• Institutions serve justice, not ideology
• Dissent is protected, not punished

Until then, wishing “Happy Republic Day” without reflection is easy. Defending the Constitution when it is inconvenient—that is courage.

So maybe this Republic Day, instead of celebration, we need awakening.

Because a Republic doesn’t die when the flag is lowered. It dies when the Constitution is betrayed—and the people choose silence.

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