‘You can love your country, without having to love your government’; this quote needs so much attention during our current political scenario.

In the last 24 months, the term ‘anti-national’ has been used so often, and unfortunately, without paying any heed to its actual meaning. If you say the movie ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ should be released, you’re termed as an anti-national person. If you disagree with government’s ban of the 500 and 1000 rupee notes, you’re termed as an anti-national person. And there are many such examples in the recent past where one would be tagged as an anti-national person.

Firstly, we need to realize that a nation is bigger than its government. Disliking or disagreeing with your government does not make you against the country. We live in a democracy and the core value of democracy gives one the freedom to criticize the government and its policies as opposed to dictatorship wherein a dictator and his policies are bigger than the nation.

Secondly, criticizing and questioning the government is a fundamental right as well as a fundamental duty as an active citizen. One does not have to read the Indian constitution to understand this. In fact, protecting the values of our constitution is our fundamental right. Therefore anyone who takes away our freedom of speech and the power to question is actually an anti-national person. Those who tag as for being anti-nationals do so because of your disagreement with the government and its policies which are a real threat to the nation.

The liberty with which people use this term without paying attention to its meaning, I feel it would only harm the idea of India as ‘unity in diversity nation’. To make any nation free and fair, the government must encourage disagreement, criticisms and questioning. And it’s not only the duty of the government, but also the duty of each citizen.

So do not be afraid if you disagree with the government policies and if you wish to put forward your disagreement peacefully.

Remember, you’re disagreement doesn’t make you an anti-national person.

Gaurang Raval

  politics