Growing up, Independence Day always meant waking up to Lata Mangeshkar’s Aye Mere Wattan Ke Logo being played out in the community loudspeakers. As I sang along with all the emotion and enthusiasm that could be mustered, it was time to get ready for school. Wearing a crisp white kurta that had a paper flag proudly pinned onto it, I took part in all the Independence Day celebrations not just in school but also in my community. While the program at school meant sitting in the scorching sun for an hour before we were distributed snacks, the programs at my colony were more fun. After a flag hoisting ceremony, there were games, races and competitions organised for all the children with loads of prizes being given away.
But with time and the passage of my carefree childhood, Independence Day and the very idea of independence has come to hold new meanings and more importantly it has made me go on quest for what it means to be independent.
Today marks India’s 74th Independence Day. And yet yesterday, Dr. Khafeel Khan’s detention under the draconian National Security Act (NSA) was extended by three more months. Dr. Khan has already served 480 days in prison. The NSA allows a person to be held without charge or a lawyer for up to a year. I am not sure what Independence Day means to a people’s doctor like Dr. Khan today.
Another headline striking news was reported on the eve of India’s 74th Independence Day. In a landmark case, the Supreme Court found eminent lawyer, Prashant Bhushan guilty of contempt of court for his tweets on the CJI. In a 142-page reply, the SC declared that it was beyond criticism. Journalist, Shekhar Gupta summed up the sentiments of a majority of public activists when he said, “The mildest thing we can say about the SC contempt order on Prashant Bhushan is, a great institution is letting itself down. No criticism can undermine the top judiciary more than such thin-skinned shots fired in anger.” I am not sure what Independence Day means to a public interest lawyer like Prashant Bhushan today.
Speaking of journalists, this week also witnessed three journalists from The Caravan be victims of mob violence as they were attacked, chased and threatened with death in North East Delhi for reporting on the Delhi riots that took place in February which resulted in scores dead. The Delhi Police is yet to file an FIR in the case. I am not sure what Independence Day means to those three Caravan journalists today.
This week also witnessed communal riots take place in Bengaluru over an instigating Facebook post. In order to control the violence the police resorted to opening fire killing three people. I am not sure if we as a nation share the same understanding of independence.
Also, this month marked the one-year anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and an intense communication blockade in the Kashmir Valley. Its been a year since 4G was scrapped in Jammu and Kashmir. I am not sure what Independence Day means to the residents there today.
While we as a country have come a far way since we gained independence from the British in 1947, I am not sure if we can completely call ourselves independent today. Is Independence Day only supposed to signify independence from foreign rule? Does independence also not consist of freedom of liberty and expression? Does independence not consist of freedom from bigotry and hatred in society? Is independence not supposed to mean equal rights to one and all irrespective of caste, religion, class and one’s personal political opinion? What is independence supposed to mean?
-Thoughts and questions of a confused Indian.
