&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Why Indian PM hoists the Tricolour on Independence Day while President does so on Republic Day")
Indians will celebrate 80th Independence Day on August 15 this year. On Independence Day, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hoist the national flag at the Red Fort and address the nation from the ramparts of the fort. But, why does Prime Minister Modi hoist the National Flag on Independence Day and not the President.
When India gained independence on August 15, 1947, it was the Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who hoisted the Tricolour at the Red Fort. This set the precedent, and every PM since then has followed the same practice. The Prime Minister is the head of the elected government, chosen by the people through democratic elections. Direct election is one of the bedrocks of democracy and that is why PM is the head of the government. Moreover, when India got its Independence on Aug 15, 1947, there was no President. It was only after India's Constitution came into effect in 1950, that the country had a President as a constitutional post.
(AFP images)
Independence Day marks the end of British colonial rule. On Independence Day, the PM’s flag-hoisting reflects the authority of the people’s government taking charge of a free nation. The flag-hoisting by the PM is a symbolic act showing that political power now rests in the hands of the nation’s own leadership, not an appointed figurehead.
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(AFP images)
After hoisting the flag, the Prime Minister addresses the nation, reporting on the government’s achievements, challenges, and plans. The PM also underlines the aim and roadmap of the country for coming years. This makes the day directly tied to the functioning of the government rather than the ceremonial duties of the President. The President is the constitutional head of state, but largely performs ceremonial roles.
(AFP images)
On Republic Day, when the Constitution is celebrated, it is the President who hoists the flag at Kartavya Path, as that occasion represents the republic’s constitutional identity rather than the political leadership. The flag is already positioned at the top of the flagpole and is unfurled during the ceremony. The ceremony is followed by the Republic Day parade, which showcases India's cultural diversity, military strength and national achievements.
