In the history of Indian comics of the 90s, ‘Tiranga’ has been a character who presented patriotism and justice from a completely new perspective. While Nagraj had tremendous strength and Dhruv had a sharp mind, the real identity of Tiranga was its unshakable and stubborn spirit. The comic of the Tiranga series ‘Ziddi’ (issue number 655) lays the foundation of this character’s thinking, his mentality, and his birth. This comic is not just the story of a superhero, but the story of a son’s revenge, the duty of a responsible citizen, and his insistence on standing up against the corruption prevalent in society. This comic, presented by Sanjay Gupta and written by Hanif Azhar, still has the power to give goosebumps to readers.
Detailed analysis of the plot
The story begins in an atmosphere filled with extreme tension and violence. At ‘Atmaram Memorial Hospital’ in Delhi, some ferocious criminals enter with their hounds. Their motive is to kill ‘Rohan’, a fearless journalist who openly spoke out against an underworld gang named ‘Company’. In room number eight of the same hospital, another person is battling between life and death—Havildar Ramnath, who is the father of the hero of the story, Abhay, i.e., Tiranga.
Anyone’s heart would be shaken after seeing the condition of Havildar Ramnath. The fingers of his hand have been cut off, and his tongue has also been severed. This cruelty is the gift of those corrupt policemen and rioters whom Ramnath tried to stop. When the criminals attack Rohan to kill him, it is at that moment that Tiranga enters. He not only saves Rohan’s life but also teaches such lessons to the hounds and their owners with his ‘Ashok Chakra’-like shield that they will remember forever.
The most emotional and effective part of the story is the flashback where Abhay explains the reason behind his father’s condition. Havildar Ramnath was a very honest policeman. When riots were raging in the city and many selfish people and corrupt officers were silently watching the spectacle, Ramnath stood alone against the rioters. He had to pay a heavy price for this by losing his fingers and his tongue. Abhay, who was a simple student at that time, witnesses all this with his own eyes. The helplessness of the law and the fearless courage of criminals break him from within, but from this breakdown, ‘Tiranga’ is born.
Abhay decides that he will wear the khaki uniform to honor his father, but he will deliver justice in a way that no longer remains buried in files. He takes to the streets as ‘Tiranga’ and fights a direct battle against crime.
The other side of the story shows Abhay’s college life. In the outside world, Abhay is considered a simple, nerdy boy, whom people think of as a ‘bookworm’. There is a domineering punk in the college named ‘Raja’, who harasses girls and threatens professors. He misbehaves with a girl named ‘Shikha’. When Abhay tries to stop him, Raja beats him badly. Here, readers get to see Abhay’s tremendous restraint. He knows he can eliminate Raja in an instant, but he keeps his true identity hidden. Eventually, when Raja and his goons enter the college library and take the principal hostage, Abhay appears as ‘Tiranga’ and treats them in a way they could not have imagined even in their dreams.
Characterization
Tiranga (Abhay): In this comic, the character of Tiranga comes out with great depth. He is not just a mask-wearing fighter, but part of a family that has lost a lot. His ‘stubborn’ nature is his greatest strength. Whether he faces hounds or bullets, he never backs down. Abhay’s character gives a clear message that real bravery does not come from strength, but from strong intentions.
Havildar Ramnath: Ramnath symbolizes the price of honesty that true people often have to pay. His character speaks volumes without even saying a word. His helplessness and silence give Abhay the strongest reason for becoming Tiranga. His sacrifice is the soul of this entire story.
Raja (Villain): Raja represents arrogance and power, which often go to a person’s head when they acquire money and influence. He may seem like a small villain, but in reality, he is a representative of the social rot against which Tiranga fights.
Rohan (Journalist): Rohan’s character shows the courage and honesty of the fourth pillar of democracy. His presence makes one realize that even today, there are some people in society who are ready to sacrifice their lives for the truth.
Writing and dialogue
Hanif Azhar has made the dialogues in this comic very precise and effective. Especially the scene on pages 14–15, where Abhay talks to his father while he is unable to speak, touches the heart. Abhay says—“These cruel people have cut off your tongue so that you cannot speak the truth, but your eyes are saying a lot”—which goes straight into the reader’s heart. This dialogue reflects the height of the writing. The sharp sarcasm aimed at the riot scenes and the inaction of the police feels equally true and relevant even today. This is why this comic feels like a story of every era, not just its own time.
Art and portraiture
Milind and Bittu’s artwork brings this comic to life. The design of Tiranga’s costume, his mask, and his shield is powerful and memorable. In scenes involving fights with dogs, the sense of speed is so intense that the pages seem to move. The use of red and orange colors in the riot scenes clearly depicts the fear and chaos spread in that environment. Light and soft colors are used in the college scenes, which clearly highlight the contrast between the superhero world and ordinary life. The effect of the rotating shield, shown beautifully, brings out the signature style of Raj Comics.
Theme and social messages
‘Ziddi’ directly attacks serious issues such as the price of honesty, the difference between law and justice, youth power, and communal harmony. Through Tiranga, this story challenges the idea that honesty only leads to suffering. The comic gives a clear message that when protectors become exploiters, stubborn resistance becomes necessary to achieve justice. The poignant riot scenes show that the greatest loss of communal violence is always borne by innocent people. At the same time, it tries to convince the youth that silently tolerating injustice is no less than a crime.
Critical Analysis
‘Ziddi’ is one of the most important comics in the Tiranga series, as it is closest to the story of his birth. It shows us that Tiranga was not created through any laboratory experiment, but was born out of the fire of filth, corruption, and riots present in society. This is what makes him stand apart from Nagraj and Dhruv. Tiranga is a hero who begins his fight not from tall buildings, but from the streets, and challenges the entire system.
The comic title ‘Ziddi’ is completely meaningful. It reflects the stubbornness of Abhay, who is ready to go to any extent to restore his father’s honor and free the country from crime. The story is fast-paced, and the emotions are deeply intertwined. Although the sub-plot involving Raja may feel slightly filmy, the main conflict centered around Ramnath and ‘Company’ is so strong that it easily covers these minor shortcomings.
Conclusion
Raj Comics’ ‘Ziddi’ is a classic creation. It not only entertains, but also forces the reader to think. It teaches us that if we stand by the truth, we must also be stubborn in our resolve. If you want to read a story that maintains the right balance of emotion, action, and patriotism, then ‘Ziddi’ deserves a place in your collection.
This comic marks the beginning of Tiranga’s journey, which later evolves into memorable stories like ‘Dang’, ‘Kafan’, and ‘Insaf’. It serves as an example for today’s generation that even a single individual can bring about a big change in society—one just needs true ‘stubbornness’.
Rating: 4.8/5
