Unfortunately, the Sector 39, once vying for one of the top 2 positions amongst all sectors in Noida, is for past one year going through some very disappointing mudslinging amongst once cronies and now sworn opponents. This is most disheartening that now the subject of the ownership of the National Flag is dragged into a controversy.
“A lie told a thousand times becomes the truth”. So said Nazi propogandist, Joseph Goebbels. Lies cleverly interwoven with half-truths, take lesser time to be seen as the only truth. So is the case with narratives being dished out about the National Flag through whitepapers.
The truth is that a large group of Welfare 39 members attempted to install the Post+Flag at the commercial plot opposite temple when the RWA was under their control under able Presidentship of respected Mrs. Parashar. Noida Authority intervened and had it shifted to C Block park. Controversy of 2015 vs 2016 is an attempt to create diversions from the main issue that it was one large group of people who together installed the flag. Some people contributed more funds some less, and some worked harder than others. But it was their collective effort. No doubts on that. Till August 2018, all Republic Days and Independence Days were celebrated under the organization of the RWA under this flag at C Block. Basically, since its installation the Welfare 39 run RWA held all its national functions under this flag only.
When Team 39 won the RWA elections in December 2018, there were two prong negativities. Some Team 39 hardliners insisted that the newly elected RWA holds the Republic Day (in January 2019) at D Block, and certain individuals insisted that since they had paid for installation of the flag, they own it also and would hold their separate national day celebration at C Block. So, we have the unenviable taint of holding two different Republic Day functions in same Sector in January 2019.
As the luck would have it, on August 2019, massive rains flooded the D block park and the RWA approached Welfare 39 to be allowed to hold the Independence day celebration at C Block. Which they allowed. And even as it was a great function with all 7 Defence veterans present felicitated, there were others for whom location of the Flag was important and they boycotted the function. Covid eventually put a lid to most further functions, and eventually elections were held. The outgoing RWA office bearers of Team 39 declared in advance that they will not contest to create an environment of bonhomie. But unfortunately, within Welfare 39 two groups were formed and they had a bitter election between them. During the legal tenure of one year RWA held both national functions under the said Flag at C Block and it looked that the issue has been amicably closed.
But the RWA did not procedurally declare the elections during the one-year legal tenure. And being Kalateet thereafter, nor can they now hold elections. Only DR, Meerut has such authority, and per past experience it may take a year or more, for this election to become a priority subject for the office of the DR. This seems to be the trigger for the second faction to have circulated a whitepaper, claiming their ownership of the flag, and warning the RWA not to take any steps that can lead to breaking the peaceful environment.
RWA should be the logical owner of the Flag at C Block. It was built with donations, which does not bestow any ownership rights. Donations are philanthropic activities and not investments. RWA should own the flag whether most position holders are from Welfare 39 or Team 39 or any other future Group that may emerge on the scene.
Political aspirations are fine, difference of opinions is in fact necessary for shaping progressive thinking but using the National Flag to settle personal scores is a new low that Sector 39 is now witnessing.
by Asim Thakurta (Ex General Secretary, RWA, Sector 39)
