Independence: What it Means to Me
There was a documentary film that used to be shown on Doordarshan in my school days. It was about unity in diversity, and had a catchy song “Ek, anek…Hind desh ke niwasi sabhi jan ek hai". That was the time when this sentiment was entrenched in all our hearts.
Our country has for ages, had a rich history and
tradition of assimilation and synthesis of cultures, and religious tolerance.
And though there have been sporadic riots and targeted violence now and then,
we can proudly say that very few cultures have had such a glorious background
of peaceful co-existence of multiple religious, cultural and linguistic groups.
Things have changed over the past few years, however. The word
"Secular" is being bandied about as an offensive term. You have to
take sides, to prove your nationalism and love for your country with frantic
chest thumping. If you don’t flaunt your nationalistic pride, you are prone
to being name-called, either “sickular”, a “libtard” or “urban naxal” or part
of the “tukde tukde gang”.
What a change from the free atmosphere of post-independent India, when our
diversity was something to be cherished! #Independence to me means
reviving the spirit of inclusiveness, and marching hand in hand towards
progress.
My #India didn’t Discriminate
The rampant incidents of lynching, rape
and victimization of minority groups or weaker sections of society are, I
believe, a by-product of the current hyper- nationalistic fervour in vogue.
Quite opposed to our centuries-old traditions of "live and let live".
This isn’t what our founders fought for. They had dreamt about an
inclusive society, a firmly socialistic, welfare state, a thriving #democracy. Our constitution uphold these socialistic and
secular values very firmly. Then what happened along the way?
Some say, it is the fallout of decades of minority appeasement politics
played by the Congress and Communist parties. It seems Hindus have long felt
side-lined, ignored, and are now revelling in the exclusive attention the
present government is showering on them.
Is the oldest religion of the living world so fragile, that it needs
politicians and pop-religious entities to defend it and propagate it aggressively?
Our temples have, for ages, been places of public discourse and
philanthropy, not jingoistic tirades. Festivals like Holi and Diwali are less
religious, more of community-binding, inclusive, social festivals. Id and
Christmas are as much our own, as Janmasthami, Buddha Jayanti and Guru Nanak
Jayanti.
The Terrifying Silence of the Elite
Are we okay with jailing teenagers who protest injustice? And we can turn a blind
eye to the plight of an 84-year-old man gradually dying after rotting in prison ?
People sliding down the poverty line and losing livelihoods, orphaned
children, the “new impoverished” begging for sustenance, all these don’t raise our
hackles?
Perhaps, no. As we are too busy celebrating cricketing glories, celebrity marriages, airport acquisitions by millionaire businessmen, and space tours by celebrity tycoons?
Are we even one country then? One #India is gasping for breath, under the increasing prices, lost jobs and burgeoning debts. The #OtherIndia (the privileged lot) think about where to party next, and are planning mid-pandemic vacations.
What #Independence in My Country Means to Me:
#Independence for my country means our diversity. Diversity in all spheres – religious, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, educational, physical, sexual, and mental, must not only be accepted, but celebrated. We need to take pride in a truly inclusive, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, secular society.
My wish list for India goes something like this:
- C My India is united in soul and spirit, with all its citizens being proud
of our nationality and identity.
- C Anyone can follow any religious faith without the disapproval of
frowning, sanctimonious moral police. If someone wants to be an atheist, no
judgement against him/her/them.
- C Nobody is denied educational and career opportunities on the basis of
anything except lack of merit.
- C Children are not stigmatized for failing exams or preferring other
pursuits to studying.
- C Anyone can marry/love/live in with anybody, provided both are willing.
- C Citizens keep an eye on law enforcing authorities so that excesses do
not happen.
- C Press is #Independent and responsible, not a lapdog of the ruling
party.
- C People have the decency to maintain public property, especially heritage
structures of India, like they do their own property.
- C The voices of the smallest minority groups are heard and responded to.
- C Leaders solve contentious issues with dialogue, instead of with might
and suppression.
I know this is a rather tall order, a fancy wish-list. Still, I hope and
pray that my country really wakes up to this #Independence one day.
Into that dawn, my Lord, may my country awake!
Strongly agree with each point. How can I Differ? Best Wishes.......
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