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As I read the various hoardings and pamphlets on ‘Freedom’ and ‘Independence’ , I am feeling a bit appalled this Independence Day. A sinking feeling that we are missing the boat completely. Wearing Indian colours , hoisting the national flag , singing the national anthem and eating tri-coloured mithai cannot be the symbols of a free India.
I am constantly reminded of what Aatish Taseer wrote in the Stranger to History about Iran. While I don’t remember the exact words, an Iranian told Aatish that they were naive in the 1970s. When they stood protesting against the Shah, they thought that was democracy - and never realised what they were losing. They lost their democracy, their freedom of protest and have lost themselves to the morality police and other regressive forces.
Thanks to the efforts of millions of us who want to cut corners and make a quick buck, or who want special privileges for being the educated class, we have unleashed havoc on our young democracy. We misuse the system through cronyism and only want to look after our, and our family’s interests - the rest of the world be damned.
We have created an India we should be ashamed of handing over to our kids.
Even now, when the fruits of our labour are becoming evident - in the rapidly declining economy, in increased violence on the streets and against our women and children, the only way we are protesting is through Facebook or other social media. We continue to support corrupt political parties and politicians - shaking our heads and mumbling that things are out of our control. We continue to allow ourselves to get outraged over religion and caste - so it is little wonder that politicians use it to maximum potential.
Even when we can stand up and help this country, we don’t. The latest case in point - the Uttarkhand disaster. The state is struggling in the aftermath of the natural disaster - but really, how many of us have contributed money or materials to start rehabilitation. The only chorus I hear is - the system is too corrupt and the money will not reach the victims - so there is no point. The truth is -all of us have all our limbs intact, and if our hearts were in the right place - we would have gone to Uttarkhand to provide support.
It is a piece of gossip how much money Robert Vadra has garnered, or how the politicians are twisting the system , but none of us are serious about bringing about change.
We claim pride in being Indians, but are silent spectators when the political parties come together to grant themselves more privileges, or take themselves out of the RTI. We remain silent when well meaning social activists are killed in broad daylight. We know that the politicians control all land deals and big businesses through their set of family and friends , but none of us want to risk their wrath by taking out PILs. We all know the games being played out as the General Elections come up next year.
I think it is the Indian Middle Class, the hugely aspirational ,ambitious and upwardly mobile mass, that has let India down. As the educated class, it was our responsibility to bring change into the country - to be a strong voice that would drive policy and that would elect the right representatives for India. It was our responsibility to ensure that bureaucrats would run the administration. We let the country down.
Luckily for us, we still have a bunch of honest people who do their jobs well - without expectation of bribes and compensation. They withstand political pressure and arm twisting to do what is right - and those are the people who need to be saluted. And recognised. And applauded.
If only we would join them, then singing the National Anthem would hold meaning. Then celebrating Independence Day would make sense. Then we may yet leave behind an India our kids will thank us for.
