DEVIL'S ADVOCATE: Democracy Day

A very good morning to all of you ��� this is our team of courtmartialled defence officers, Colonel Satish Kohli, Major Raghunath Iyer and Air Commodore Jagtap Singh, welcoming you on the occasion of India's 58th Republic Day.
Ladies and gentlemen, this parade is different from any other that has preceded it. It marks the arrival of an India poised to take on the world, a self-confident nation that is prepared for dissent, that does not need to flex its military muscles.
Today's parade is meant to provide space to those who feel oppressed by the state, to the other India. The republic will not be vindicated if it does not respect their contribution to democracy.
Leading the parade is the Andhra Pradesh regiment of the People's War Group, led by Comrade Seetharamaiah. PWG has done peerless service to the nation, eliminating anti-nationals like the feudal landowners of Telengana and their supporters in the police.
The regiment holds placards of those martyred in this struggle. Oh! What a wonderful surprise ��� the regiment did not salute the president.
Following them is a remarkably different battalion, the Bajrang Dal, led by Dr Pakodia. Watch the Dal's measured steps as the soldiers point their trishuls at the president.
Dr Pakodia leads the way with his cry, 'Vande Mataram'. And now we come to the Kashmir Conference. India has granted Kashmir the right to self-determination, and in an extraordinary gesture the Kashmir Conference decided to grace the occasion.
Behind them is the Socialist Federation of Nagaland, which arrived because the government decided to throw open the parade to any group that wishes to express, in a non-violent manner, its grievance against the state.
The fact that the government began withdrawing army and paramilitary forces in December also prompted the group to come.
Ladies and gentlemen, you must have noticed the absence of police, army and paramilitary forces. Republic Day marks the arrival of spring, a time for thaw, for warmth, peace and cessation of warfare.
The army has returned to its barracks till April. To come back to the parade, friends, marching before us is a huge contingent with many state-level chapters, called the anti-SEZ regiment.
Leading the team is the Nandigram People's Front. This brings up the end. Sorry folks, no schoolchildren this time. Let's spare them force-fed patriotism; let them have a holiday.