Independence Day and Republic Day of India mark two very important events in Indian history that helped form India we know today.
These are the two events that marked the beginning of all subsequent development of the Indian subcontinent.
It can’t be said that Independence and Republic Day were announced all of a sudden. Both came about after months and years of struggle.
And for the people of India, both are the perfect reasons to celebrate and share happiness.
Independence Day vs Republic Day of India
The main difference between Independence Day and Republic Day of India is that Independence Day is the day when the Indian subcontinent was freed from the colonial grip of the British Empire and became a democracy. On the other hand, Republic Day is when India became a republic. This means that, on this day, the Indian Constitution was put into effect.
Independence Day commemorates the great day when India gained freedom from its colonial rulers and was declared an independent nation. It is celebrated nationwide on August 15th by all the people of India, irrespective of caste, creed, or race. The main reason Independence Day is of great significance is that it is the result of many struggles and hardships faced by the ancestors of the nation.
Republic Day marks the day the Indian subcontinent has been officially declared a republic and a democracy, each with its own set of rules and regulations that were crafted keeping in mind the welfare of all Indians. It is the day the Indian Constitution went into effect, after years of struggle to write laws that did not offend the sensibilities of any caste or race.
Comparison Table Between Independence Day and Republic Day of India
What is Independence Day of India?
Independence Day in India was celebrated for the first time on August 15, 1945, to mark the nation’s freedom from British rule.
After years of struggle, the freedom fighters of India achieved what they thought was impossible after a long battle.
After the East India Company established its bases in India, they slowly started gathering scrolls and rights to specific pieces of land and property from the Maharajas and rulers of pre-Independence India.
After they gathered more than enough properties from the poor farmers and landlords of the nation, they spread their power and slowly became the rulers of the Indian subcontinent.
They believed in divide and rule, where they made strategies to ensure that the diverse society of India would never come together and work against the colonial rulers.
But eventually, under the magnificent guidance of Mahatma Gandhi, the small and isolated fights that erupted all over the country became a single, massive movement against the self-made rulers.
As the freedom fighters inched closer to the actual Independence Day, throughout the years from 1930 to 1946, the Congressmen and women celebrated it.
After the Britishers gave up their colonial rule over the subcontinent, India saw an unexpected partition that commemorated the loss of life, properties, and many communal strikes and destruction.
After the British rulers left, Pakistan was formed after partitioning the northern parts of India.
But despite all the sadness and struggles, today, Indians celebrate Independence Day with much vigor and anticipation.
It is a national holiday and the main celebration is held in the Red Fort in Delhi, with the Prime Minister hoisting the national flag of India.
What is Republic Day of India?
Republic Day is a national holiday celebrated throughout the country on January 26th.
It was celebrated for the first time in 1950 on the same day.
Republic Day marks the beginning of an era for Indians and the formation of the Indian Republic.
The Constitution of India became the governing book that held all the laws that laid down the foundation for a peaceful life for Indians.
It also marked the change of head of the nation from the British Empire to the President of India.
The Constitution was completed between the years 1945 and 1949.
It took years of effort and thought to put it together, with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as the head of the Constituent Assembly.
All the rules were written down after much contemplation and thought.
The final copy of the Constitution was released in two languages, namely, Hindi and English.
This was because not all of India has Hindi as their mother tongue and it wasn’t possible to release a copy of the Constitution in all the languages present in India at that time.
All the people throughout the nation celebrate Republic Day to honor the Constitution and respect its rules.
Celebrations are also to respect the members of the Constituent Assembly.
But the main celebrations happen in New Delhi, with the Rajpath being the center of attention.
The President is the one who presides over all the activities.
On the eve of Republic Day, the President gives out the Padma awards to the deserving, which is a collection of the Padma Vibhushan, the Padma Bhushan, and the Padma Shri.
Main Differences Between Independence Day and Republic Day of India
- While Independence Day is celebrated on August 15th, Republic Day is celebrated on August 26th.
- Independence Day marks the day India gained freedom from British rule, whereas Republic Day marks the day India officially became a republic.
- Independence Day was followed by loss and destruction as the nation had to face the partition of India and Pakistan, but on the other hand, such loss and destruction were not there on Republic Day.
- Prime Minister hoists the flag on Independence Day whereas the President hoists it on Republic Day.
- The main ceremony of Independence Day takes place in the Red Fort in Delhi, whereas it takes place on the Rajpath for Republic Day.
Conclusion
Both Independence Day and Republic Day are national holidays throughout the nation to mark the start of great beginnings.
The people of the country join in and celebrates both these occasions leaving behind all the differences between them.
By keeping the sentimental and religious aspects in mind, the Constitution was perfectly written and is followed even to this day without much trouble.
Both the events came into effect after many years of struggle and anticipation by the people of India.
On these two days, caste, creed, and race are not a hurdle to the people.
Such is the importance of Independence Day and Republic Day.
References
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00358530802327829
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00856409608723280