THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj April 4: The Flag March, once a symbol of authority and reassurance, is slowly losing its meaning. It has increasingly turned into either an evening stroll through town or an endurance walk rather than a display of strength and vigilance. The very purpose of the march—demonstrating law enforcement’s preparedness and maintaining order—seems to be fading.
Yet, despite this dilution, the Flag March remains a top priority for law enforcement. Whenever a mass gathering threatens peace and harmony, authorities promptly deploy it. However, its effectiveness now raises questions—has it become more of a routine than a real deterrent?
It’s now the most inthing ahead of any mass gathering. However, the way Flag March is conducted leaves much to be desired.
Flag March has its own protocol. It should have its Flag. The Flag may be the national flag or the flag of the state police. It’s conspicuous by its absence.
Flag March is conducted as part of the CBM (Confidence Building Measure) among the various sections of the civil society.
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It’s a symbolic demonstration of power, authorities and control of the situation driving a message home that any aberration that threatens or jeopardises public tranquillity will be crushed by force of law.
From elite forces to routine police patrols
However, Flag March, too many of it, is losing its teeth and sheen. A Flag March by the elite forces like ITBP, BSF, CRPF commonly known as Central Armed Police Forces is worth watching from the rooftop. It goes in columns with all the weapons.
Daltonganj town has been a witness to the Flag March of the BSF, CRPF, ITBP etc in the past ahead of the Assembly and General elections when left-wing extremism was at its worst here in Palamu district where these forces used to walk down the streets with full hand on armoury led by the mounted jawans on some four wheelers negotiating the streets here.
This sight is now replaced by the local cops who are most overseen here either during the traffic check or during escorting any procession, as a result the fear and awe of the Flag March goes missing.
Top officials participate in yesterday’s Flag March in Daltonganj
On Thursday evening a Flag March was conducted in the town of Daltonganj wherein City Commissioner Md Jawed Husaain, DDC Shabbir Ahmad, SDPO Sadar Mani Bhushan Prasad, Sadar SDO Sulochana Meena took a modest detour of the town Daltonganj in the ongoing Ramnavmi festival.
The quartet did one thing good. It held discussion right midway in the street giving an impression that the civil and police officials have eyes on everything.
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Public apathy and media indifference
People by and large are indifferent to the Flag March. It doesn’t stop to see it. It’s now like a routine thing.
Important dailies vernacular or English decline covering the Flag March citing it as stale as section 144 old CrPC where if the prohibitory order is not enforced strictly, this section fails to leave its impact seen most during state-held exams like that of the Matriculation etc where a huge crowd of parents in utter defiance of prohibitory order keep standing outside the exam centres within 100-meter radius of the exam centres.
A lot of civil society activists have desired that Flag March ought to be all-inclusive like reasonable representation of the communities including women who can afford to walk a mile or two for peace and harmony.
