Should political outfits let go of party flags while taking part in ongoing protest against rape?

GN Bureau | April 22, 2013



The BJP flags, Aam Admi Party (AAP) caps and placards bearing the names of AISA or AIDWA are the most common sight at any demonstration — be it outside the Delhi police headquarters near ITO crossing or Sonia Gandhi’s residence at 10-Janpath or home minister Sushilkumar Shinde’s residence — over the last three days or so to protest police laxity and callousness following the rape and torture of a five-year-old in Delhi. There is an argument that activists of political parties or outfits affiliated to them (like the ultra-Left AISA, or CPM-affiliated AIDWA) should participate in such civil society protests and demonstrations in an apolitical atmosphere, and give the demonstrations more credence. Many contend that political p[arties are merely trying to milk the ‘situation’ since the media, especially TV cameras, are focussed on such protests since the Anna Hazare-led anti-corruption movement late in 2011. In such a scenario, do you think political outfits should leave their flags, and prejudices, back home to take part in the protests?

 

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