It is because we can freely raise
such questions based on this proposition.
It is because we have freedom to
express so and ask uncomfortable questions that drag our society back –
questions that are still holding us back in a dock of antiquated moratoriums on
many issues so vital to us – even after 68 years of getting Independence as a sovereign
state.
It is because we have freedom to
seek answers to such questions.
Yes, the freedom that we have is
relative, but then where it is not?
Every August 15 for India is an
event to look back on, to reflect on the journey so far – a journey that began for
us on August 15, 1947.
The days is and should be like a
profit and loss assessment – on how we dealt with the last year – and on how it
fits into the aspirations of a nation that began its independent journey 68
years ago – promises that we made and questions that we raised on August 15,
2014, when we celebrated the 68th Independence Day – and on August
15, 2015, when we are celebrating our 69th Independence Day.
We should celebrate the Independence
Day because we have the Constitutional sanction to look at it in this way – an analysis
to take stock of what we have done, where we are and what we need to do go
where we want to go.
Yes, the day is as much a cause
of celebration as it is a reason for critical observation of the sanctity of
the pledge that is weaved around us and our souls will always remain in eternal
debt of that – a pledge that was taken 68 years ago – a pledge that every
Indian of every generation – this, past and future – is answerable to – to shape
this land as per the visions of the framers of our Constitution – framers who
gave the world’s its largest democracy within three years of India’s
independence.
Yes, there are factors in our
democracy that push us backward and we cannot deny the fact that they are a
major force. It rightly makes us question the system and its numerous flaws and
we all must be serious watchers of such flaws and must raise voice and think of
ways to go beyond the noise.
Our independence and it being
within a democratic framework of a sovereign state gives us means and platforms
to exercise our rights in a free Constitutional space.
Our independence in the world’s
largest democracy, in fact the world’s largest functional democracy (see the
spate of bloggers killed in Bangladesh for raising their voices) makes us part
of a system where there are supportive voices as well, if there are hostile
elements with their fangs to silence us.
15th August is an
event, an occasion to renew the pledge to work against the flaws of our
democracy.
Times are changing – and changing
fast. Information access and the resultant chaos have the potential to lead the
voice of change to have it an upper hand than those who see their benefit in
promoting the status quo.
We should celebrate our
Independence Day because we all are stakeholders in the process that makes our
democracy a reason to fight for.
