In the run up of this Republic Day, the country witnessed a number of decisions of national importance which the government seems to be doing for the “corrections” of history. There have been additions and deletions in the form of symbols, venues, images, statues and even hymns. There are also public declarations of the need and intent to “correct the mistakes” of historical narratives about events and personalities. A hologram statue of Subhas Chandra Bose has come up at India Gate, to be replaced by a gracing statue later.
The Eternal Amar Jawan Jyoti there has been put out and shifted to the National War Memorial. Gandhiji's favorite hymn ‘Abide with me' has been dropped from the Beating the Retreat ceremony. Every one of these actions has a separate explanation that seeks to rationalize it but opposition and a large section of society do not feel convinced. They termed it more like excuses in service of partisan politics than actions that promote any right and national cause. Individually and collectively, they actually seek to misrepresent and misinterpret the past.
The Prime Minister informed the nation that on the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, a statue of this iconic and much-admired politico-military leader would be inaugurated by him at India Gate “as a symbol of national gratitude to him.” Notwithstanding the timing or possible political motives of this decision, the installation of Netaji's statue at the Central Vista will be welcomed by all segments of the nation.
A pre-Independence-constructed India Gate did not represent the sacrifices made by thousands of soldiers during either World War II or thereafter in the many wars that our military fought after 1947. Finally, four decades after it was inaugurated in 1931 by the Viceroy Lord Irwin, and after many more deaths of Indian soldiers, the Amar Jawan Jyoti was created under India Gate to commemorate those who had lost their lives during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. However, it needs to be noted that this was a monument and not a National War Memorial.
It would be befitting if the sacrifices and gallantry of the Indian military are recognised and honored across all segments of the country and do not become a platform to generate any avoidable controversies. It is also strongly recommended that all those who had opposed the construction of a war memorial, and those who still do not appreciate the true value of the nation's defenders, visit the hallowed grounds of the NWM and spend two minutes in silent homage to the Fallen Soldier.
The idea to continue with two flames makes little sense, especially as India Gate and the Amar Jawan Jyoti were never really a national war memorial. Thus, rightly, India Gate, with the statue of an iconic Indian leader under it, will continue to remain a historical and architectural masterpiece at one end of the Central Vista for visitors to come and admire, but will not be part of the more somber environment of a war memorial.
