JOIN USWith the nation gearing up for independence day celebrations – it involves a six day-long Bharat Parv festival at Rajpath leading to India Gate in New Delhi – a serious question arises.
No doubt we are politically independent from an alien rule but how far are we trying to safeguard freedom in its true perspective? Are we really free in all respects? This is a very important conundrum to be asked and answered by every true citizen of the country.
India completes 70 years of swaraj and continues to savour the status of a democratic, secular, sovereign, republican nation. It has climbed the ladder to success in scientific and technological domain and is today no less than other developed nations in the world.
Behind the curtains of this great achievement, it is unfortunate to note that social and moral deterioration has become a regular feature in the country, depleting human values and resulting in frequent violence, be it in the form of terrorism, communalism, regionalism or the brutal incidents of women and minor girls being raped, making these acts more or less the order of the society.
The recent merciless attacks by police on innocent farmers and elderly women over the Mahadayi river water dispute in Karnataka, forcing people to go into hiding for the fear of police, explicitly proves that the citizens are not given freedom to fight for their basic rights in a democratic nation.
The entire scenario of lathi charge by the men in khaki reminds of the British Raj where innocent people had to undergo such physical assaults during their struggle for freedom. Likewise, the ‘beef politics’ in states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat etc manifesting in barbaric and inhuman attacks on Dalits, questions the safety of certain communities in their own free land.
The alleged rapes and the gory attacks on women in recent years have sent shock waves across the country and spread a fear that they are not spared from the animal lust of a few profane men.
There are endless debates by political leaders and resource persons on TV channels when such incidents occur, but at the end of the day, nothing tangible is brought into effect. Where is the safe hub for India’s daughters in today’s land of Gandhi?
It is still to be discovered. Expressing concern over reports of rising violence in India, the US has asked the Indian government to protect its citizens and bring to justice the perpetrators. Should a foreign nation feel so intensely about our citizens’ safety and liberty? Is this the India for which our great leaders, freedom fighters and the common folk laid down their lives?
Our national leaders have toiled across the length and breadth of the country to achieve independence and their tough struggle, sacrifice and self-determination have
enabled us to enjoy the fruit of liberation. The Gandhian ideology that ensured a wide mass mobilisation during the pre-independence days is no longer adopted, excepting a few.
Social worker Anna Hazare’s movement against corruption a few years ago, in the form of satyagraha, met only a with a little success in the initial stages and was suppressed later in a high-handed manner by the then UPA government.
Irom Sharmila’s struggle
Similarly, the fast – now ended – by Manipuri activist Irom Chanu Sharmila for 16 years to repeal the powers of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act became futile and her mute struggle columned only in newspapers and journals.
No ruling party budged because of her fast (was it because she hailed from the Northeast?). Whenever there is such an initiative to fight for justice or basic human rights, we are incidentally losing the battle and becoming victims of the unfairness of jackbooted governments – be it the Central or state governments.
Lack of unity and misunderstanding among political parties have become a regular phenomenon paving the way for differences among them and vying for power.
Under such circumstances, it becomes a distant dream to build a corruption-free, and morally and socially upright India. Where are our professed elected leaders heading towards and leading their countrymen? Is this the Incredible India they are trying to build?
The father of the nation was an apostle of peace and love who represented India’s morality and inherent spiritual strength. Many great personalities have upheld the dharmic principles of the country, and being the residents of such a great land, let us protect our nation from social, moral, economic and political injustices.
Each one is assigned a particular role in the society and has a social responsibility which, if executed with utmost sincerity and honesty, will lead to effective contribution to the nation.
Let us free ourselves from moral and social degradations and work unitedly for the nation’s progress and venerate the land of the Mahatma.
(The writer is with the Department of History, St Claret PU College, Bengaluru)