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HomeIndiaUttarakhand BJP chief stands by 'nation won't trust homes without flag' comment...

Uttarakhand BJP chief stands by ‘nation won’t trust homes without flag’ comment despite criticism

Congress, AAP have condemned Uttarakhand BJP chief Mahendra Bhatt's statement equating patriotism with hoisting flag on Independence Day, said BJP 'has made the flag a commodity'.

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Dehradun: The newly-appointed chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttarakhand, Mahendra Bhatt, Wednesday said that those not hoisting the tricolor in their homes on Independence Day “will lose the trust of the nation”.

He has also asked party workers to send him photographs of homes not displaying the national flag between 13 and 15 August to help differentiate between ‘anti-nationals’ and ‘nationalists’.

These statements were made by Bhatt at the beginning of the party’s ‘Tiranga Yatra’ procession in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. “This is the time to express one’s patriotism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the call that no house should be left without a tricolor hoisted on it on 15 August. Tiranga Yatra aims to instill a message of nationalism in the new generation and to remain alert for anti-national forces,” he said.

These words by Bhatt have invited sharp criticism from the opposition. Both the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have condemned it saying the BJP is trying to “threaten” people.

However, speaking to ThePrint, though, Bhatt justified his statement, saying: “I did not say anything controversial. What is wrong with saying that the nation will not trust those not flying the tricolour on their houses? Patriotism of those not putting up national flags in their homes on Independence Day will be questionable.”

He added that hoisting the flag will serve as a “slap on the face of separatists and anti-national forces conspiring against India from within” and against “those who portray an incorrect picture of the country in other parts of the world”.

“Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the country as ‘Amrit Mahotsav’ is a manifestation of our feeling of nationalism and we ought to do that,” said Bhatt.

He also confirmed to ThePrint that he did ask party workers to send him pictures of homes without tricolours.

Speaking to ThePrint, Congressman and the Leader of Opposition in the state Legislative assembly Yashpal Arya said, “Those questioning people’s patriotism had no role in the freedom movement. They must know that India’s freedom fighters and reformists came from every religion and caste. The BJP chief should stop playing divisive politics at a time when the whole country is rejoicing the 75th anniversary of independence.”


Also read: AAP’s ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in Ayodhya is desperate. It lacks the imagination to move beyond Delhi


‘Cheap way of assessing patriotism’

Bhatt also told ThePrint that he was curious to see if Congress workers and leaders will unfurl the tricolor on their homes.

“The Congress has started its own ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ to celebrate the Amrit Mahotsav. We have no objection if they don’t join the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ yatra, but they are bound to hoist the tricolour, there is no alternative,” added Bhatt.

The Congress, for its part, has condemned Bhatt’s statement and said this is not the way to judge someone’s patriotism.

Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and All India Congress Committee General Secretary Harish Rawat said, “This is a cheap way of assessing anyone’s patriotism. How can this be a barometer to test people’s loyalty to their nation?

“The BJP chief must see his own surroundings and backyards. He will find many faces around him who have never respected the tricolour and did not hoist it for over 50 years,” he added, speaking to ThePrint.

Congress MLA and former Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Pritam Singh called Bhatt and the BJP “the biggest anti-nationals”. “He is trying to issue certificates to the people of Uttarakhand. Bhatt and the BJP have the same Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) origin that stood with the Britishers and never hoisted a flag for over 50 years. The tricolour lies in the heart of every Indian,” he said, speaking to ThePrint.

The AAP has alleged that Bhatt’s statement is an attempt to “threaten” the people and the opposition.

“This shows the arrogance of power in the newly-appointed chief of the ruling party. Mahinder Bhatt is trying to threaten and dictate terms to the people of Uttarakhand. This is not acceptable. BJP has made the national flag a commodity and is now forcing people to buy it in the guise of patriotism. They should have distributed national flags for free among the economically-weaker section instead of forcing them to purchase it. A large section of India is still unable to meet its daily needs,” said AAP state convener Jot Singh Bisht.

(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)


Also read: How do Muslims celebrate Independence Day? The many loyalty tests since Nehru


 

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