Land of Unity in Diversity!

 

“Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.”

-Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

(First Prime Minister of Independent India)

 

Today is a very special day as we celebrate the 74^th anniversary of India’s independence from the British Crown on August 15^th, 1947. This day is also known as India Day. People all over the country enjoy this day by waving India’s tricolor flag, flying kites from their rooftops, etc.

But, are we truly independent? Is this the India our freedom fighters struggled for and even sacrificed their lives? Is India (as per our constitution) really a ‘Secular Democratic Republic’, or just by words?

In the 42^nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976, the term ‘secular’ was added to the Preamble. As per our Indian Constitution, secularism means

‘All religions in our country (irrespective of their strength) shall have the same status and support from the state.’

Our Preamble also refers to words like Justice, Equality, Liberty and Fraternity. But how many of us understand the real meaning of these words?

All these questions keep on troubling my mind. There is so much happening all over the country. After every few days we get news of riots, mob lynching, hate speeches, communal hatred being spread, etc.

Recently, we had communal riots in Bangalore, which were ignited by a post on a social media platform. The riots not only endangered human lives but it also caused damage to public property. As per news channels, the situation was normal till late evening, but suddenly at night the mobs swelled and it seemed as if the riots were pre-planned.

While a few are busy playing the blame game and creating a chaos in the country, there are many who are still standing together as INDIANS irrespective of their religion, caste or gender . There was a group of Muslim youths in Bangalore who formed a human chain to protect a Hanuman Temple.

(This story was first published in the Times of India on August 12, 2020)

Can our Gods actually be affected by all these things? It is time we understand that God is above all this. The Almighty has nothing to do with who is talking what about him.

 

Our population is our biggest strength and at the same time our biggest weakness also (the British used this weakness to divide us and rule us for 200 years). India is a land of unity in diversity where people of different castes and religions live together. It is time we use this as the strength of our country and not let anyone else ever divide and rule us.

Happy Independence Day!

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