Freedom is one of the prerequisites for a democracy to function and prove itself a worthwhile attempt at efficacious governance. The extent and quality of freedom that a state guarantees to its citizens is therefore indication of a democracy’s smooth operation. India has been hailed across the world for being the largest and most vibrant democracy. But have we imbibed democracy in its fullest sense? Are we a democratic society? If we haven’t what are the deterrents that lie in our path? Do we provide to each and every citizen an intellectual space of his/her own? Do we ensure to every individual freedom to think on their own, freedom to carve out for themselves their notions of value, taste and rectitude? We need to expand our horizons of thought and ideas. More concretely, our democracy is a failure if it does not grant freedom to pursue independent thought and action.
In an age where we are subjected to the high-impact, wide-reach electronic media, which themselves claim to have the “most potent influence on public opinion”; they tell you what to wear and how to speak, what to eat and how to spend---the must-buys, must-reads, must-see-destinations-and-movies. However, one must be aware that one has the choice and freedom to take it or leave it. You do not have to toe the line of a completely different demographic clique just because it is, or is made to appear, the norm. We come in for similar kind of directions from religious leaders and political leaders—people who like many others aim at making general statements and may not share our predilections—which I believe is an affront to individual freedom. In such instances, to back such people solely because one shares a single common irrational identity with them is preposterous. There is greater chance for your political or religious leader to create unrest or unlawfulness or greater—to incite you to violence. That you value your identity is perfectly acceptable but that isn’t reason enough for you to relinquish your rationale. But what often happens is the “imposition of an allegedly unique identity” which is “often a crucial component of the “martial art” of fomenting sectarian confrontation” (Identity and Violence, Amartya Sen). We have seen enough evidences of the same in topical times. The abandoning of reason in groups to which allegiance is emotional like religion or political party is creating negative vibes across the country. Christian establishments, Hindu extremists, Muslim fundamentalists, vested interests and political parties without exception have hijacked sensitive issues and a gullible population has jumped the gun without any attempt at reason and fact. Be it diktats by Raj Thackeray, or Arundhati Roy’s impassioned plea espousing a separate state of Kashmir or release of pastoral letters by the clergy in Kerala, the declaration of illogical fatwas against Sania Mirza or the parochial definitions of India by fascist elements, there is a greater need for us to be resilient to such forms of intellectual spoon-feeding. The fundamental question is—don’t I reserve the right to think for myself? Should my preferences, beliefs and thought processes be dictated by society and individuals?
We cannot afford to call ourselves, or aspire to be, a knowledge society or an enlightened society if we are and will be like we have been-- biased, bereft of free thought, fettered, vulnerable to trivial social stratifications and to political manipulations. By subscribing to extremist views we are usurping the intellectual space accorded to our fellow beings. This may lead to violence, which is unacceptable even as a ‘last resort’. Enlightened moderation—employing reason to carve out a middle-path which is neither left nor right—is probably the most effectual way in granting intellectual freedom to all. There is a crying need for a customized version of the European Renaissance. All evidences point to a decadence into a pre-Renaissance ethos—one of ignorant belligerence or conservative terrorism. Intellectual transformation, insatiable quests for knowledge and learning, a new eclecticism, freedom from bigotry and intolerance, more debate, more discussion and more disagreement as long as they are done within the academic and intellectual space are what the hour calls for.
PS:i'd request those readin this post to air their criticisms.There'll be many as this is a hastily composed article.
