The Unfinished Portrait, Republic Day Celebrations and the Unresolved Contradictions of the Indian Republic
The annual Republic Day address by the President of India is more than a ceremonial speech; it is a state-sanctioned narrative of the nation’s journey, a curated mirror held up to the country’s soul. President Droupadi Murmu’s address on the eve of India’s 77th Republic Day, as reflected upon in the editorial, offered a powerful vision of national achievement: a narrative of self-reliance in defence, an ascendant economy on the cusp of becoming the world’s third largest, and tributes to unifying figures like Sardar Patel. It was a symphony of “constitutional nationalism,” celebrating the nation’s democratic and developmental journey. Yet, within this celebration lies a profound and necessary tension. The catalogue of triumphs, while motivating, is incomplete without a parallel, unflinching audit of the republic’s unresolved promises. True patriotism lies not just in honoring the flag but in scrutinizing the distance between the ideals enshrined on January 26, 1950, and the lived reality of the citizen on January 26, 2026. As the editorial wisely cautions, “Economic growth or military prowess are not the sole markers of progress,” and “singing paeans to the Constitution is one thing, but delivering on its principles… is quite another.” The state’s self-congratulatory posture must be balanced against the persistent struggles of its people, lest “civilisational pride” becomes a seductive but hollow distraction from the “material questions of the present.”
President Murmu’s speech understandably highlighted tangible, headline-grabbing successes. The “growing self-reliance in defence,” exemplified by the precision of Operation Sindoor, is a legitimate source of national pride and a strategic imperative in a volatile geopolitical neighborhood. The progress toward becoming the third-largest global economy is a statistical milestone that reflects the sheer scale and momentum of Indian enterprise, buoyed by reforms like the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which, despite implementation pains, aimed at creating a unified national market. Celebrating the strides made by women in diverse fields—from agriculture to space—acknowledges a critical, if still uneven, social transformation. Honoring farmers, sanitation workers, and teachers is a nod to the nation’s backbone.
These achievements are real and deserve acknowledgment. However, they form the gleaming superstructure of the republic. The editorial urges us to look at the often-cracked foundations. For instance, self-reliance in defence manufacturing does not automatically translate into security for the ordinary citizen if the internal fabric of society is frayed by communal polarization and sectarian politics. A strong military is of little comfort to a family living in fear of mob violence or facing discrimination based on faith. The economic narrative of becoming a $5 trillion economy rings hollow for the millions trapped in precarious, informal employment without social security, for farmers burdened by debt and climate volatility, and for youth facing a chronic job crisis. The celebration of women in STEM and space is inspiring, yet it coexists with the stark reality of declining female labor force participation, pervasive gender-based violence, and deeply entrenched patriarchal norms that limit the freedom and safety of the majority of Indian women in their daily lives.
This is the critical dichotomy. President Murmu invoked “constitutional nationalism,” a powerful concept that roots national identity in the shared commitment to the Constitution’s values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. Republic Day is indeed the annual occasion to “revisit the ideals of the Constitution.” But a sincere revisit must be a two-part exercise: celebrating the distance covered and honestly mapping the distance remaining. The editorial identifies three areas where the gap between ideal and practice is dangerously wide, threatening to “undermine those ideals.”
First, there is the corrosion of the federal character of the Republic. The Constitution envisaged a strong Union with robust States, a dynamic balance of power essential for governing a vast, diverse nation. In recent years, however, there has been a pronounced centralization of authority, both political and fiscal. The use of governors as political instruments, the alleged weaponization of central investigative agencies against opposition-ruled state governments, and contentious issues like the delayed disbursement of GST compensation have fueled deep distrust. This centralizing impulse weakens the very pluralism that defines India and stifles the laboratory of democracy that states are meant to be. A “unified nation,” as celebrated in the speech, must not become a uniform nation where regional aspirations, languages, and policy innovations are subsumed under a homogenizing central diktat.
Second, and perhaps most corrosive, is the persistence and intensification of sectarian politics. The Constitution’s promise of a secular republic, where the state maintains an equal distance from all religions, is under severe strain. The politics of religious polarization, the use of divisive rhetoric for electoral mobilization, and incidents of majoritarian vigilantism have created an atmosphere of anxiety and otherness for minority communities. When the President pays tribute to Vande Mataram as a “lyrical national prayer,” it is a cultural celebration. Yet, in the political arena, such symbols are often weaponized to create litmus tests of patriotism, excluding those who might interpret their love for the nation differently. This sectarianism directly attacks the “fraternity” enshrined in the Preamble, undermining the social solidarity necessary for a republic to thrive.
Third, the editorial points to the pervasiveness of corruption, not merely as petty graft but as institutionalized corruption that undermines fairness and meritocracy. From allegations of crony capitalism in large contracts to the everyday bribes demanded for basic services, corruption erodes public trust in the state’s ability to be an impartial arbiter and provider. It makes a mockery of the constitutional guarantee of equality before the law. A nation celebrating its economic rise must ask if that rise is creating a more equitable society or merely concentrating wealth and opportunity in the hands of a politically connected few.
These challenges—the weakening of federalism, the rise of sectarianism, and entrenched corruption—are not abstract concerns. They have a direct, material impact on the “struggles of the citizenry.” They determine whether a farmer gets a fair price, whether a student from a marginalized community gets a seat in a university, whether a citizen can expect a fair hearing from the police, and whether a community feels safe in its own homeland.
Therefore, a meaningful Republic Day introspection must move beyond a balance sheet of GDP and missile accuracy. It must ask harder questions: Is the fundamental right to dissent being protected, or is it being criminalized through sedition laws and anti-terror legislation? Is the independence of key institutions—the judiciary, the election commission, the media—being safeguarded, or are they being co-opted? Are economic policies lifting all boats, or are they exacerbating inequality? Is the promise of social justice for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other backward classes being fulfilled, or are regressive social hierarchies being reinforced?
The editorial’s call is not for pessimism but for a more authentic, and thus more robust, patriotism. It is a call for a republic that is confident enough to look at its flaws. Celebrating achievements is necessary for morale, but critical self-reflection is essential for course-correction. The true strength of the Indian Republic will be measured not by its ability to launch precision strikes or climb economic rankings alone, but by its unwavering commitment to securing for all its citizens “justice, social, economic and political.” The portrait of the republic painted on Republic Day is a magnificent one, but it remains unfinished. The most patriotic act for its citizens and its government is to pick up the brush and, with clear eyes and steady hands, work on the parts that are still sketchy, the colors that are still missing, and the promises that are yet to be filled in. Only then can the celebration be truly complete.
Q&A: Between Celebration and Challenge on Republic Day
Q1: According to the editorial, what is the core tension in President Murmu’s Republic Day address?
A1: The core tension lies between the celebratory narrative of national achievements (self-reliance, economic growth, women’s empowerment) and the unaddressed, persistent challenges that threaten the foundational ideals of the Constitution. The speech highlighted progress but, as the editorial argues, did not engage in the necessary “self-reflection” on the gaps between constitutional principles (justice, liberty, equality, fraternity) and the lived reality for many citizens, where issues like sectarian politics, weakening federalism, and corruption persist.
Q2: How does the editorial argue that economic and military achievements are insufficient markers of progress?
A2: The editorial argues that while achievements like becoming the third-largest economy or demonstrating defence self-reliance are significant, they are not the sole markers of a healthy republic. True progress must be measured against the Constitution’s promise to secure the dignity and rights of every citizen. A strong military does not protect a citizen from communal violence, and a growing GDP does not guarantee social security, job equity, or freedom from discrimination. Progress must be holistic, encompassing the social, political, and ethical health of the nation.
Q3: What are the three specific threats to constitutional ideals identified in the editorial?
A3: The editorial identifies three major threats:
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Weakening of Federalism: Excessive centralization of power, undermining the balance between the Union and States envisioned by the Constitution.
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Sectarian Politics: The use of religious polarization for electoral gain, which erodes the secular fabric and the ideal of “fraternity.”
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Corruption: Pervasive graft that undermines equality before the law, fairness, and public trust in institutions.
Q4: What does the editorial mean by “constitutional nationalism,” and why is it important?
A4: “Constitutional nationalism” is the idea that Indian national identity is rooted in a shared commitment to the values and principles of the Constitution—justice, liberty, equality, secularism, and fraternity. It is important because it offers a civic, inclusive basis for patriotism, as opposed to nationalism based on ethnicity, religion, or culture. It binds a diverse nation together through a common adherence to a rulebook that guarantees everyone’s rights. Republic Day is the prime occasion to reaffirm this covenant.
Q5: What is the editorial’s final prescription for a meaningful Republic Day observance?
A5: The editorial prescribes that a meaningful Republic Day must combine celebration with critical self-reflection. It should be an occasion to honestly audit the republic’s performance against its constitutional promises. The government and citizens must not allow “civilisational pride” or self-congratulation to overshadow the “material questions of the present.” The true tribute to the Constitution is not just singing its praises but actively working to bridge the gap between its ideals and the everyday struggles of the people, ensuring that the republic delivers on its foundational contract.
