Senior social and health activist Sukesh C. Khajuria calls for \u2018Nation First\u2019 approach to democratic protests in Open Letter on \u00a0of 80th Independence Day<\/p>\n
Jammu, Aug 18<\/p>\n
On the India\u2019s 80th Independence Day, senior social and health activist Sukesh C. Khajuria has<\/p>\n
issued an open letter to the citizens of India, urging the nation to embrace peaceful, responsible, and<\/p>\n
non-disruptive forms of democratic expression while reaffirming the constitutional values of<\/p>\n
freedom, accountability, and public welfare.<\/p>\n
Congratulating fellow citizens on the historic occasion, Khajuria paid tribute to the country\u2019s<\/p>\n
freedom fighters, martyrs, and nation-builders whose sacrifices secured India\u2019s independence and<\/p>\n
laid the foundations of the world\u2019s largest democracy.<\/p>\n
Referring to this year\u2019s Independence Day theme, \u201cHonoring Freedom, Inspiring the Future,\u201d he said that \u00a0the occasion should serve as a reminder that the true tribute to the nation\u2019s heroes lies in building a stronger, more united, and developed India guided by a \u201cNation First\u201d approach and the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.<\/p>\n
In his letter, Khajuria emphasized that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the fundamental \u00a0right to freedom of speech and peaceful protest. However, he stressed that constitutional freedoms must always be exercised with equal respect for the rights and convenience of fellow citizens.<\/p>\n
Expressing concern over the adverse impact of bandhs, strikes, road blockades, and rail blockades, he observed that such methods often inflict unnecessary hardship on ordinary people, including patients requiring emergency medical treatment, students appearing for examinations, daily wage earners, commuters, businesses, and emergency services.<\/p>\n
Highlighting the constitutional and legal framework governing democratic protests, Khajuria referred to several landmark judgments of the Supreme Court of India, including Bharat Kumar v. State of Kerala (1997), affirmed in Communist Party of India (M) v. Bharat Kumar (1998), which declared enforced bandhs unconstitutional. He also cited Kameshwar Prasad v. State of Bihar (1962), T.K. Rangarajan v. Government of Tamil Nadu (2003), Ex-Capt. Harish Uppal v. Union of India (2003),<\/p>\n
Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan v. Union of India (2018), Amit Sahni v. Commissioner of Police (2020), and In Re: Destruction of Public & Private Properties v. State of Andhra Pradesh (2009), noting that these decisions collectively establish that peaceful protest is constitutionally protected but cannot extend to indefinite occupation of public spaces, disruption of essential services, or violation of the rights of other citizens.<\/p>\n
Khajuria further pointed out that under Article 141 of the Constitution, the law declared by the Supreme Court is binding on all courts and serves as the constitutional standard governing democratic protests, public order, and the protection of citizens rights across the country.<\/p>\n
Appealing for a new culture of democratic participation, he urged citizens to replace disruptive forms of protest with constructive alternatives such as peaceful public meetings, silent marches, candlelight vigils, human chains, signature campaigns, online petitions, constitutional representations, public interest litigations where appropriate, lawful social media awareness campaigns, community service initiatives, stakeholder consultations, press conferences, public awareness programmes, policy papers, and other symbolic demonstrations that do not obstruct public life or emergency services.<\/p>\n
\u201cA strong democracy is measured not merely by the freedom to protest but by the wisdom with which that freedom is exercised,\u201d Khajuria said.<\/p>\n
He also appealed to the Government of India, State Governments, and Union Territory Administrations to encourage and sincerely respond to peaceful and constructive public participation. According to him, citizens who adopt disciplined, constitutional, and non-disruptive methods of raising public issues deserve timely, sensitive, and meaningful engagement from governments.<\/p>\n
Khajuria observed that constructive dialogue between citizens and public institutions strengthens democratic governance, builds public trust, reinforces constitutional values, and advances the national interest. He urged governments to respond to peaceful democratic initiatives with openness, empathy, accountability, and effective action.<\/p>\n
Concluding his message, Khajuria called upon every Indian to honour the sacrifices of the freedom movement by practising responsible citizenship, respecting the rights of fellow citizens, and contributing towards a united, compassionate, and developed India. He expressed hope that the 80th Independence Day would inspire citizens to embrace a genuine \u201cNation First\u201d policy and strengthen India\u2019s collective journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet our patriotism be reflected not only in our words but also in our conduct. Let our protests uphold the dignity of the Constitution. Let our democracy become stronger through dialogue rather than disruption. Let our unity become our greatest strength\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Senior social and health activist Sukesh C. Khajuria calls for \u2018Nation First\u2019 approach to democratic protests in Open Letter on \u00a0of 80th Independence Day Jammu, Aug 18 On the India\u2019s 80th Independence Day, senior social and health activist Sukesh C. Khajuria has issued an open letter to the citizens of India, urging the nation to …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":9326,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[92,33,1284,3200,91,56],"tags":[4246,1195],"class_list":["post-9325","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-international","category-international-political-national","category-jammu-kashmir","category-national","category-politics","tag-nation-first","tag-senior-social-activist-sukesh-c-khajuria"],"yoast_head":"\n