India’s Independence Day and the dream of universal freedom

By Zafar Siddiqui

I remember the landmark speech delivered by the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, on the eve of India's independence in 1947. After two centuries of British colonial rule, India became free thanks to leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Azad and many other champions of the non-violent freedom struggle which ultimately prevailed. India's freedom was the result of sacrifices made by Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Christians and many others together.

The devastating impact of British colonial rule on India can be seen in the fact that India's share in the world economy fell from 23% to just 4% in two hundred years due to the plundering of resources. Historical records show that around 29 million Indians died due to famines caused by British policies. Renowned economist Utsa Patnaik calculated in a report published by Columbia University Press that Britain extracted nearly $45 trillion from India between 1765 and 1938.

In the words of Nehru: “Many years ago India made an appointment with destiny. Now the time has come when we shall fulfil our promise – not entirely or fully – but still in great measure. At midnight, when the world sleeps, India will awaken to life and freedom. There comes a moment such as rarely comes in history when we step out of the old into the new, when an age ends and the long-suppressed soul of a nation finds expression.”

India's founding fathers envisioned a prosperous, democratic and progressive nation – a nation that would build social, economic and political institutions that would ensure justice and a fulfilling life for every man and woman. Their commitment to absolute equality for all citizens is evident in Nehru's declaration: “…we all, whatever our religion, are equally children of India with equal rights, privileges and duties. We cannot encourage either communalism or narrow-mindedness, for no nation can be great whose people are narrow-minded in thought or deed.”

As India continues its journey today, it is important to reflect on how well the country is maintaining the vision of its founding fathers. The challenges of modern times – from economic inequality to social and religious tensions – are testing the strength of the principles of unity, justice and inclusiveness that were so passionately espoused at the country's birth. India's rendezvous with destiny will continue as long as it remains true to that vision, in which there was no place for fascism, hatred and bigotry in any form or practice.

It is a source of great pride for me to have been born in the world's largest democracy, India, and now to be a citizen of the world's oldest and most powerful democracy, the United States. This dual perspective has deepened my appreciation for the values ​​of democracy, freedom and unity, which are as relevant today as they were at midnight on August 15, 1947.

On India's Independence Day, I hope that all forms of colonial rule and occupation in the world will end. May every human being be free from occupation, oppression and injustice, and may the principles of equality and justice lead us to a future where freedom truly belongs to all.