August 15 is supposed to be a day of freedom. The nation celebrates its 66th year of independence from British rule this year. The usual rigmarole of parades and flag hoisting ceremonies on official buildings will happen. In the rest of India one can sense the real spirit of celebration as citizens find innovative ways of observing Independence Day. The young and elderly have their own fun and frolic. Malls are super full and eating joints are crowded. In the national capital there is a security overdrive on account of VIP movement on that day. But only for a while! Once the official functions are over the streets are choc-a-bloc with private vehicles out on a gala spree. You can sense the celebratory mood of the new generation of Indians many of whom have one foot in this country and another abroad and have therefore learnt to celebrate such occasions with the fervour of their foreign compatriots. Independence Day is also a day when we must suffer boring speeches from the exalted of this country. They preach about freedom from ignorance, illness, poverty et al but do nothing to address the plight of the masses. Lectures are like church litanies we mumble unthinkingly. Unfortunately we cannot talk back at those who exhort us on themes they are not serious about taking up. We soon realize that everything is for effect and good intentions are short-lived.
Coming closer home, for nearly two decades August 15 has been a day of fetters not just for Meghalaya but for the entire North Eastern region. Bandhs are predictably called by insurgent groups who cannot even muster 20 people to guard the streets. Yet everyone cowers in fear. After 1997 when the Naga peace talks began, no bandh call was given by different factions of NSCN and other outfits in Nagaland. But in Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura, August 15 and January 26 have become predictable bandh days. Will things change in Assam now that the ULFA doves under Arabinda Rajkhowa are singing peace tunes and have removed the word sovereignty from their demands? What about Meghalaya? The HNLC is a spent force. The ANVC is on ceasefire and the GNLA have made it clear that they will not disrupt Independence Day. So why are people still anticipating a bandh and calling up newspaper offices to find out who’s calling the bandh and for how long? It’s hard to give up a habit. But often such habits become self-fulfilling prophecies.