Jul 16, 2009
'Into that heaven of freedom my father … let my country awake….'
This song of Rabindranath Tagore will echo in our minds as the countdown to Independence Day begins. Hectic preparations are on for yet another Independence Day. We have been enjoying freedom for the past six decades, but a question in my mind remains unanswered. What do we do with our freedom? As it was said during the Reign of Terror, “Oh liberty what crimes are committed in your name”! Some of the recent developments have sent shock waves across the country.
Is something essentially wrong with our judicial system? Six of the accused in the murder of Prof. Sabharwal have been acquitted by a court of law. All the witnesses in the case turned hostile in court with all of them, including the police, testifying contrary to what we have seen on the news channels. It is obvious that the professor was beaten black and blue and was badly injured. Worst of all, the court of law declared the accused innocent due to a lack of witnesses. Thanks to the media, the case got national attention; but forgotten are the thousands of poor villagers and illiterates running from pillar to post seeking justice. Now, we require the courage to chant the words of Tagore “Where words come out from the depths of truth … Into that heaven of freedom my father let my country awake”
It is often said, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Aren’t our leaders autocrats and absolute monarchs and first class corrupt officials. Such politicians bring disgrace to our democratic set up. The Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Minister is spending crores of rupees in erecting her own statues on the streets. The fact is that thousands of people from UP migrate to cities like Mumbai and Delhi in search of employment. Poverty is rampant everywhere in the state. In spite of this fact, she is spending crores on such monuments. Isn’t it a national shame and nothing but a mockery of democracy?
I doubt whether we really are in a democratic and secular country. In news from Jaipur, is a couple is facing threats to their life simply because the Panchayat refused to accept their marriage since they belonged to different castes. There is an offer of Rs 1 lac for those capturing the couple dead or alive. The caste system is so strong in our country that a democratic set-up like the Panchayat arrived at such a decision!
When we look at all these and many other events that are happening around the country, it is disheartening. Where is our country heading to? It is said the world is wicked not because there are wicked people in the world, but because of the silence of the good people. I think it is time for all of us to wake up and raise our voice against these undemocratic, inhuman, practices.