As is every other day in the Indian Political Sphere, January 15th 2024 was no different.
It was chaotic, aggressive and marginally humorous.
The Congress party was in the mode of launching a deranged tirade, and chat was around Independence.
The RSS-BJP side argues that true independence (cultural freedom/ awakening of the Self) for the people of India was not achieved until the Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram got completed.
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat suggested at a gathering that the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya should be celebrated as “Pratishtha Dwadashi”, marking the “true independence” of Bharat, which endured centuries of “parachakra” (foreign invasions).
To this the Congress took offence, countering a thought they perceived threatening to their legacy.
Many Congress leaders including LoP Rahul Gandhi, Congress President(Prez) Mallikarjun Kharge remarked on their displeasure.
Mr. Gandhi wrote, “Mohan Bhagwat’s audacious comment that India didn’t gain true independence in 1947 is an insult to our freedom fighters, every single Indian citizen and an attack on our Constitution.”
Doubling down Mr. Kharge further reiterated the sentiment, and issued what may be considered borderline threatening.
Mr. Kharge said that it would become difficult for him (Mohan Bhagwat) to move around in the country if he continued to make such statements.
Now, the story is evolving and both the parties are going to and fro on this issue.
However, as the evidences and chronicles suggest there is a case to be made that, indeed India did not get true independence on 15th of August 1947.
Let’s discuss :
The Independence Dilemma :
While it is true that India achieved Independence on Friday, 15th August 1947.
What must be realised is that, the Nature of that for all practical purposes was very ‘Lawful’.
Meaning, sure the decisive authority did not rest with an English, sure the general population did not face violence and cruelty from an outsider.
But, the baggage of 700 years of foreign rule and torment – that was not going anywhere, anytime soon.
After-all, as India became free, Bharat was deemed broken!!!
Moreover, the antics of the Congress and its leaders itself, reflected the subservient nature.
After independence, British influence lingered in India through many means.
Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy, stayed as Governor-General until June 1948. This depicted the ongoing English involvement.
India remained a Dominion of the British Commonwealth with King George VI as its head of state until it became a Republic on January 26, 1950. British officers held key military positions, General Roy Bucher served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army until General K.M. Cariappa took over in 1949, making him the first Indian to hold the position.
Two years after Independence. The Radcliffe Line, which was hastily drawn by Cyril Radcliffe, caused mass displacement and violence.
English continued to dominate administration, law, and education, reflecting colonial legacies.
Furthermore, India remained a part of the British Commonwealth, a body led symbolically by the British monarchy. Membership in this organisation reflected a subtle continuation of British influence in the newly independent nation.
The above accounts are more political, but the sense of inferiority remained for long. In some Parts it still does today.
Catching up:
Folks, masses tend to follow the nobility.
For instance, if you go to Rajasthan, you will find that people may perceive the phrase, “Aaiye Baithiye” (Please have a seat) as slightly disrespectful.
That happens due to the royal cultural influence that puts emphasis on more polite greetings.
Thus a version like “Aaiye Birajiye” is used more often. Since Birajiye carries positive and respectful cognition with it.
Now that in itself is a part of culture deeply accepted, respected and absorbed by people. The Culture, style and demeanor of the invaders was not. On the Contradictory it is something to be rejected.
Something the congress in its time of doing missed. The famous,“ At the stroke of the midnight hour…” tryst with destiny speech that Nehru delivered, was in a language that for most of India, was drivel.
For all the might and glory the Speech was lost in translation!!!
The Institutional Capture:
Nations are built by people, who in turn are taught, schooled and influenced by the schools they attend, the people they idolise, and the leisures that they charm.
The open missionary capture of our schooling system is evident. The roots which were planted before independence, have grown to become a cultural irritant.
In some sections of society, you have to dress convent, speak convent and voila, you are put up on a pedestal.
The baggage of this mindset is still very much present, in one of the more recent incidents.
The Event that was supposed to be a poem recitation programme in Vandana Convent School, in Guna of Madhya Pradesh, soon turned grave.
The Principal of the convent school snatched the mic from a child reciting Gita verses.
Although, the natural legislative follow-up of FIR’s and multiple police complaints took place. The Fact that it happened in the first place itself underlines the baggage of the inferior mindset that some people carry.
Can this be the trait of an independent populace?
The Economic Freedom :
Folks, meaning freedom as presented by those who did, is defined as: the state of being free, or the power to act, think, or speak without restriction.
The First part of the definition settled with us, we were free, but the inability to act, think or speak without restriction was evident.
Be it the obtuse decision to engage with China with slogans like “Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai” (that demonstrated the brotherhood between Indians and Chinese).
Or be it the lack of bold decisions from the highest political authority(s). The Void of intent was visibly absent.
Furthermore, the Half Communist-Half Socialist Economic Policies contributed to the “Hindu Rate of Growth”, the contentious term used to describe India when the economy was sluggish and slow.
It was only after the LPG reforms of 1991 that the national economy opened up, competition increased and people were offered with better products at more competitive margins.
That was orchestrated by the then Prime Minister Narshima Rao and Finance Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
That was true Economic Independence.
So when a civilisation that had fought for more than 500 years to re-establish its faith finally did on 22nd January, 2024.
That was Cultural Independence in true sense.
Also Read: On Ram Mandir consecration day, Bharat got ‘true independence’: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat
The Freedom Fighters and their Importance:
As a natural train of thought, one may say, arguing for True Independence in context to Ram Mandir is an insult to the freedom fighters who died fighting for it.
But, I say no it is not. What they did and achieved will forever be invaluable.
One can not put a price on people sacrificing their lives literally or otherwise, for the “Rastra”. (The concept of nation as imagined by Kautilya)
What they achieved was important, but what was achieved on 22 January was important as well.
The Freedom struggle against the British itself, started by the revolt of 1857, the civilisational struggle to re-establish the Ram Mandir started way back in 1528.
To pit one against the other can not be an act of a cultured and sane person, since a society needs freedom in all dimensions of spirit.