National Flag And Anthem As Symbol Of Protest: A Historical & Contextual Pretext

National Flag And Anthem As Symbol Of Protest: A Historical & Contextual Pretext In Light Of Article 19

Siddhi Nigam, BA LLB(Hons), Symbiosis Law School, Pune

ABSTRACT

The national flag and the anthem encapsulate the diversity of a country. A protest keeps a check on the government to prevent arbitrary use of power and usage of flag symbolises the solidarity of the nation against any of the injustice. India has witnessed number of protests over the years and each government has tried to suppress them by either making a compromise or resorting to strict measures.

The article discusses the history and evolution of the National Flag and anthem for the purpose of unity and protests against the British rule. In this context, the use of flag and anthem in protests and the conflict between the rights and duties of people are highlighted. The conflict, whether the usage of national flag and anthem in protests violate the public order, morality or integrity in context to Article 19, is presented as well.

Further, it is established that use of Flag and anthem in protests is a major element of demonstrations whether it be by the self-proclaimed nationalists or the people of the actual cause or the nuisance creators. People of a democratic nation use it to justify their actions with their definition of nationalism and sometimes which leads to disrespect. The same lyrics of anthem and the very same tricolour which is standing with no change in it has enough power to be instrumental in the process of bringing such huge changes.

Keywords: National Anthem, Flag, Protest, Democracy.