Independence Day: Should We Celebrate or Not?

Independence Day commemorates the day we achieved freedom from British rule. However, a fundamental question arises: why do we celebrate this day? It signifies the celebration of liberation from the chains of slavery, but the underlying reason warrants exploration. Was it because men and women were subjected to harassment and coercion, leaving them with minimal rights in their own homeland? Today, can we confidently claim to be entirely free from the shackles of our pre-independence struggles?

Our Preamble-

We must examine each of these points mentioned in the Preamble in depth for a better understanding. Let’s delve into the core values.

SOVEREIGN

The Indian government possesses the authority to make decisions, no matter how big or small. With our hard-earned independence, our governance is in the hands of fellow Indians, not dictated by external forces. But are we truly governing? This raises an important question: why, then, have we struggled to conquer the ongoing conflict in Manipur for the past four months? Did the government we elected lack the potency to address and resolve this pressing issue?

SOCIALIST

Democracy, progress, and nonviolence serve as the avenues through which India strives to realize its socialist aspirations. The term ‘nonviolent’ unambiguously underscores the obligation of eschewing harm to others, irrespective of their religious or tribal affiliations.

SECULAR

Every Indian citizen enjoys the freedom to practice any religion of their choice. In light of this, how can the promotion and endorsement of ‘ghar vapasi’ be justified? Would this not run counter to the principles outlined in the preamble, thus working against our nation’s best interests? It is inappropriate to anchor the ethical foundation of our government in the moral compass of any particular religion.

DEMOCRATIC

This right belongs to every eligible citizen—to cast their vote and elect a government. Nevertheless, when a seat goes uncontested and only one party is in the running, the fairness of the election is compromised. Altering Election Commission rules to favor one party over another is not democratic. Effective discussion of public matters in Parliament is hindered if ministers fail to regularly participate in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha sessions. As the world’s largest democracy, is this the image we wish to project?

REPUBLIC

A republic features an elected or nominated head of state, breaking away from hereditary succession. Yet, the principles enshrined in the preamble are violated when the selection process is tainted by fraud, leading us to inadvertently forsake our republican ideals. Afghanistan stands as an example of a nation that has veered away from republican principles. Is it our aspiration to move back in terms of our economic, social, and developmental progress?

JUSTICE

The commitment to bestow social, economic, and political justice upon India’s citizens is vital.

A socially just society rises above discrimination rooted in caste, creed, gender, or religion. However, in the context of incidents such as the Gujarat riots and Manipur conflicts, can we genuinely claim to have upheld social justice? Can justice coexist when individuals are forcibly evicted from their homes without due notice? What do we make of a situation where a member of the CSF, entrusted with our protection, opens fire on Muslim women aboard a train?

Economic justice entails the eradication of discrimination based on wealth, income, or economic standing. It further underscores the importance of avoiding a monopolization of high-end tenders by a single company. This principle dictates that equal opportunity for fair bidding must be extended to all.

Political justice mandates equal, unobstructed, and unbiased political participation for all, free from any form of discrimination.

LIBERTY

This encompasses a spectrum of freedoms encompassing expression, speech, religion, faith, and worship. If this holds true, why do instances persist where individuals openly resort to lynching due to dietary choices? What becomes of the press when it chooses to publish truths or voices dissent? Are they truly at liberty or do they face repercussions for speaking the truth?

EQUALITY

This principle dictates that every Indian citizen deserves dignity. Each person warrants impartiality regardless of skin color, religion, caste, creed, or gender. In essence, equality asserts that my access to education or employment should not be dictated by my inherent traits at birth.

Even if I identify as Muslim, Hindu, Christian, or Sikh, I should possess equal rights to admission at any institution. Whether I belong to the Open category or a Backward caste, I shouldn’t face differential treatment. Likewise, regardless of being female or transgender, I should enjoy equal opportunities alongside my male counterparts. But where does equality stand when food delivered by a Muslim Zomato delivery person is rejected? Or when a cab ride is cancelled due to the driver being Muslim? And what happens to equality when housing rentals are determined by one’s religion?

FRATERNITY

This principle advocates for a sense of brotherhood among all citizens, transcending factors like religion, caste, creed, color, and gender. It envisions a relationship akin to that of siblings among individuals residing across different states. It doesn’t literally mandate addressing everyone as ‘Bhai’ or ‘Behen’. Nor does it signify Hindus tying rakhis to Muslims on one hand while, on the other, Muslim women fall victim to violence inflicted by Hindu brethren under the guise of religion. It doesn’t mean Manipur tribes engage in violence to stake claim over a territory.

Where is the spirit of the preamble when our brothers and sisters belonging to minority groups are targeted and lynched? Is our constitution upheld when our siblings in different states face burning and rape? Where does our sense of independence lie when our nation is immersed in various manifestations of hatred? Can I genuinely celebrate freedom from British rule while remaining oblivious to these ongoing injustices? Should I avert my gaze and let my conscience wither away bit by bit?

History repeats

Can we truly celebrate without learning from history—instances like Syria, Pakistan, Russia, Ukraine, and the Emergency? The British left us with the ‘divide and rule’ tactic, and regrettably, we still adhere to it. Haven’t we witnessed the persistent conflict between India and Pakistan? The future remains uncertain.

What can I do?

However, not all hope is lost. We still have individuals who uphold secular values and treat others irrespective of their religion, class, caste, or creed. Each of us can strive to become a little more secular by engaging with people from diverse religions, castes, and creeds. This interaction will disclose the truth that they are simply fellow human beings, much like us. I count friends from all walks of life, and never once did religion stand in the way of our companionship. Instead, we embraced our differences and celebrated our diversity. Isn’t this the essence of being truly Indian? If we chip away at the hatred, we can construct a better India—one that captures the world’s attention.