Independence Day

Last year, I was talking with my cousin’s son. I asked him about the significance of Independence Day. He told me, it’s the day when Britishers left India. In other words, it’s the day when Indians started ruling themselves. That got me thinking. Is that what independence means? There are several despotic regimes across the world which harass their own people. Are those people independent? All the Indians living abroad are ruled by the people of different nationality. Are they not independent?

  I started reading a bit more to understand its true meaning. In 1816, a man called Granshaw killed his servant because the servant accidentally knocked off his hat while raising the umbrella. The courts refused to prosecute Granshaw stating that it is a needless expense to conduct a prosecution for a crime that’s manslaughter at best. Our history is littered with incidents like this where the Englishman was favoured over the Indians. Independence is the equality before law. Independence is about justice reaching people irrespective of their class, caste, race, sex or religion

  In the British India, all the higher positions are reserved for the Britishers. For example, an Indian Sepoy could never rise to the position of general of an Army. Independence is Chaiwallah becoming the prime minister of the country. Independence is not facing discrimination by the colour of your skin, the language you speak or the cap you wear.

  The then British Government wanted to bring constitutional reform to India. To this effect, it formed a commission, without Indian representation. In Lahore, a small group of people protested against this decision, carrying the black flags. The group was led by none other than the Punjab Kesari, Lala Lajpat Rai. The police brutally charged him, eventually leading to his death. Independence is the ability to voice one’s opinions freely without the fear of persecution. Independence is the ability to protest for what’s rightfully ours

  Independence is about living a decent life, and dying a dignified death. Independence is about the hope for a better tomorrow. Independence is everything more than the tricolour and the anthem

  I wish you all, a very happy independence day!