Freedom, Justice, and a Quest for Glory

Fr. Gaurav Nair Fr. Gaurav Nair
19 Aug 2024

As India celebrates yet another anniversary of its independence, the question of freedom and what it truly means for its citizens looms larger than ever. Recent events, such as the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh, the horrific rape and murder of a female doctor, and the disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat at the Olympics, are a reminder of the myriad challenges the country faces today. These incidents raise critical questions about the state of freedom, justice, and India's global aspirations.

India's response to the crisis in its neighbourhood has always been less than satisfactory and, more often than not, inconsistent. In light of the situations within its borders, the Indian moral stance has weakened both within South-East Asia and universally. Agents of Hindutva exploiting the current situation in Bangladesh to sow discord within the country and abroad speak volumes about the government's commitment to secularism and equality.

The brutal rape and murder of a young female doctor in West Bengal shocked the nation. Despite the significant progress made in legal reforms and public awareness since the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, incidents like this continue to occur with alarming frequency. Similar crimes in other parts of the country failed to elicit the same concern. This selective outrage highlights a troubling trend: the politicisation of crimes based on the victims' or perpetrators' identities rather than a genuine concern for justice.

India's performance at the Olympics, particularly the disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat, has sparked a national conversation about the state of sports in the country. Despite being a nation of 1.4 billion people, India has consistently underperformed on the global sports stage. This dismal performance, coupled with the disqualification of one of its star athletes due to a minor technicality, has left many questioning why a nation with such immense potential continues to falter.

The failure to win a single gold medal is not just a reflection of India's sports system but also a metaphor for the nation's comprehensive Olympic failures.

The common thread through these disparate issues is what freedom means in India today. True freedom is not just the absence of oppression but the presence of opportunities for all citizens to thrive, regardless of their background, gender, or religion. It is about creating a society where justice is not selective and where diversity is celebrated rather than homogenised.

Freedom in India remains incomplete without freedom from fear, particularly for women. The failure to ensure safety and justice for half the population reflects a deep flaw in the nation's understanding and implementation of freedom. Until women and minorities in India can walk freely without the constant threat of violence, the country's claim to being a free and democratic society remains hollow.

As we reflect on 77 years of our independence, it would have been expedient for Modiji to have focused on graver issues rather than demonstrate his prowess of giving extraordinarily long speeches.
 

Recent Posts

In a world scarred by war, hatred, and inhuman leadership, education must humanise, not merely inform. Sanjeevani Vidyapeeth shows how empowering the marginalised with values, character, and competenc
apicture Jacob Peenikaparambil
07 Jul 2025
The sinking of MSC ELSA 3 off Kerala's coast exposes a toxic mix of corporate impunity, political complicity, and environmental neglect. As hazardous cargo threatens lives and livelihoods, the silence
apicture Joseph Maliakan
07 Jul 2025
In a world slipping into chaos, where leaders trade threats and valorise violence, India mirrors this decay, silencing dissent, weaponising identity, and pushing the marginalised to the margins. The c
apicture Thomas Menamparampil
07 Jul 2025
When Fr. Stan Swamy died on July 5, 2021, the world of truth and justice was shocked and saddened. Those who belonged to this group were convinced that his death was not a natural one, but a premedita
apicture Cedric Prakash
07 Jul 2025
The strength of India is in her democracy; the unity of India is in her diversity; the heritage of India is in her hospitality, the breath of India is in her principle of Ahimsa/non-violence, and the
apicture Fr. L. Michael Collins
07 Jul 2025
Marking June 25 as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' is a calculated distortion of history, designed to vilify Indira Gandhi while deflecting from the ongoing, undeclared Emergency under Modi.
apicture G Ramachandram
07 Jul 2025
When a nation stops examining itself, it stops evolving. When a people stop questioning, they stop progressing. And when truth is replaced by lies, it takes only a few years for credibility to erode —
apicture Robert Clements
07 Jul 2025
The Emergency must be remembered, not as a tool to target a political party but as a lesson against authoritarian excess. Yet, we cannot ignore that worse violations of democratic norms and human righ
apicture A. J. Philip
30 Jun 2025
Fifty years later, India faces a chilling déjà vu with an 'undeclared' Emergency. Freedom of speech is stifled, dissent is suppressed, and institutions are compromised. True democracy demands resistan
apicture Cedric Prakash
30 Jun 2025
Amit Shah's claim that those who speak English will be ashamed evidences that the BJP-RSS is trying to bring down the populace and push India into another Vedic dark age where ignorance and superstiti
apicture Jacob Peenikaparambil
30 Jun 2025