Not Republic Day, it's show weaponry day

Tomorrow, once again we'll be in the Soviet Union. Or North Korea. Or China. Along with the quality-inconsistent dioramas depicting cliches from various states, there will be 'boy toys'-no, 'toy boys' are a different thing altogether-and people playing 'soldiers' because that's what they are.

The display of metaphorical muscle in the form of tanks, anti-air guns, and other weaponry euphemistically categorised as 'defence equipment' even when they are used in offensive manoeuvres is the nation indulging in coquetry while everyone wolf whistles.

For all the bhashans on India as the 'land of Gandhi,' implying an innate attraction towards peace, an alien landing up at Rajpath in Delhi would be forgiven for believing that she was witnessing a strutting militaristic state. Such performative display of war machines to celebrate the adoption of the Constitution is rather strange.


What a K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzer gun has to do with India's republic status, only the military-industrial-patriotic complex will be able to tell. The ritualisation of what is essentially perpetuating a government scheme that sends its citizens to possible death as its job description comes alive every January 26. There will be enough children, who are otherwise taught to respect life and avoid violence, who'll be cheering on this 'Republic Day' (sic) parade.