Published Nov 04, 2026 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 04, 2026 | 7:00 AM
Image used for representational purpose. (AI generated image)
What a wonderful idea for a democracy! Why bother with elections, Parliament, constitutional debates and public accountability when patriotism can be established through a single syllable?
Just say ‘Jai BJP’! Congratulations, you are a patriot. Refuse to say it? Please approach the nearest political loyalty counter. Your citizenship may need verification!
Perhaps the country should immediately establish a Ministry of Compulsory Patriotism. It could have a Cabinet Minister, state-level commissioners, district collectors of loyalty and special flying squads to inspect public meetings. Every citizen would receive a daily patriotism attendance register. Three absences of Jai BJP could attract a show-cause notice. Persistent silence might invite a national security inquiry!
The ministry could also introduce a new citizenship certificate. The front would carry the photograph. The back would contain the compulsory national declaration: Jai BJP! A citizen who questions the government could be asked to surrender the certificate temporarily until ideological rehabilitation is completed.
Why stop there? Schools could introduce a new subject called Political Patriotism. Students would learn the difference between the nation and the ruling party, provided the textbook explains why the two should never be distinguished! Examination questions could include: ‘Explain why questioning the government is equivalent to questioning India. Illustrate with three slogans and five photographs of political rallies.’
The joke, unfortunately, is not entirely imaginary. There is an increasing temptation in political discourse to present loyalty to the ruling party as the ultimate expression of nationalism. The BJP is a political party, not the registered owner of India. Winning an election gives it the authority to govern, not the copyright over patriotism.
One wonders whether the Constitution-makers forgot to include an additional fundamental duty: Every Indian shall chant the ruling party’s slogan at least twice daily. Perhaps it was accidentally omitted while drafting the Constitution!
Consider the practical consequences of this exciting new arrangement.
A journalist asking about unemployment could be asked why he is insulting India. A farmer demanding a better price could be reminded that national pride is more important than agricultural distress.
A citizen questioning inflation could be advised to check whether his criticism has foreign connections. A student asking uncomfortable questions might be offered a crash course in patriotism instead of an answer!
What an extraordinary method of governance! When there is no answer to a question, question the questioner’s patriotism. When there is no defence for a policy, raise the national flag. When accountability becomes uncomfortable, turn the discussion into a Pakistan comparison. The original issue disappears, and the government gets another opportunity to deliver a sermon on nationalism!
There is, however, a small obstacle called the Constitution. Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech and expression, subject to reasonable restrictions. Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita addresses specified acts threatening India’s sovereignty, unity and integrity. It does not make criticism of an elected government a criminal offence. Disagreement with the BJP is not disloyalty to India.
There is another administrative puzzle. What happens when the BJP loses an election? Does the patriotism ministry immediately change its slogan? Will yesterday’s compulsory Jai BJP become tomorrow’s evidence of political disloyalty? Should citizens keep their patriotism certificates rechargeable, with validity expiring after every general election?
Perhaps the BJP should also explain whether the freedom fighters struggled for a country where citizens would eventually need permission to disagree with the ruling establishment. Did Bhagat Singh, Gandhi and Sardar Patel imagine independence as a transfer of power from colonial rulers to political slogan inspectors?
The BJP can certainly celebrate its achievements and promote its ideology. Its supporters can chant Jai BJP a thousand times. But a political party that seeks public respect should earn it through performance, not demand it through compulsory applause. A majority in Parliament is not a licence to manufacture unanimous public opinion.
Let the proposed ministry first conduct an examination of those in power. Ask ministers to answer questions on unemployment, inflation, corruption and governance. Make accountability compulsory before making patriotism compulsory. Perhaps that would be a more useful contribution to nation-building!
And here is the most interesting examination question for the ruling establishment: If India is a confident democracy, why should a citizen’s patriotism depend on praising the party in power?
Is Jai BJP the new national anthem, is criticism the new national crime, and has democracy quietly been converted into a permanent political appreciation ceremony?
Jai Hind belongs to every Indian. Jai BJP belongs to a political party. The difference is not particularly difficult to understand — unless confusing the two has become politically convenient!
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(Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
