Azaadi, the Concept, Path and Achievement !
Azaadi or Freedom; the most value asset any human being cherishes to achieve in his lifetime !
Bharat Varsh (or India) has achieved Azaadi in August 1947 but is far off from giving a proper shape, Direction and Good Governance ! In a Two-Part brief article, the Editor is attempting to analyze India’s journey of 74 years of Independence and tracing the path to a ‘Tryst with Destiny’ which first PM Jawaharlal Nehru declared on mid-night of August 14, 1947 !!
‘Mein Azaad Hoon, Azaad Rahooga, aur Azaad hi Maroonga’ – was the forceful slogan chanted by freedom fighter Chandrashekhar Azad and his youthful friends Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Ramprashad Bismal and thousands of followers of Freedom Struggle, whose dream of Azaadi led them onto the path of martyrdom !
Swaraaj Mera Janamsidh Adhikar Hai, Mein Isse Le Kar Hi Rahoonga – was the guiding principal of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and his contemporary freedom fighters !!
Tum Mujhe Khoon Do, Mein Tumhen Azaadi Doonga– was the clarion call of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, when he launched his armed offensive against the Britishers, through Azaad Hind Fauz on the eastern Front of India for achieving freedom. His Fauz was a meagre 43,000+ Indian soldiers, released from Japanese jails captured by them fighting for the mighty British rulers during World War -II.
Concept of Freedom, the Azaadi : These above cited quotes are some of the slogans and clarion calls which guided crores of Hindustani citizens during its Freedom Struggle of about 200 years from 1850s and before. Azaadi, the basic instinct of every living creature or a group of wise, learned intellectuals who fight for their Right to Freedom, of living a Life of his own choice and pleasure; when oppressed by any unknown outsider. Even a bird seeks freedom to Fly into the Sky as soon as it grows feathers and learns to use them. So freedom is a Devine Right of every living creature or a human being.
India had been ruled by outsiders for several centuries (from early 16th century, when Mughal raider Babar captured part of Northern regions and spread their rule in large parts of these small states divided into clans or missles (Punjab) and Rajas of tiny tribes, unable to stand mightier mughals equipped with better arms, ammunition and armies. ) The mughal rulers slowly captured more smaller riyasats through their deceits over infighting states. As the Mughal clan became weaker after Bahadurshah Zafar in 19th century, the British forces took control of eastern and northern India through East India trading company, having entered India through Calcutta port in the early 18th century and became rulers of large part of India till 1947.
Though it is impossible to tabulate and review the History of Indian Freedom Movement in a small Column, our attempt is to emphasize why Crores of Indians struggled and suffered innumerable tyrannies for about 300 years to achieve Azaadi from foreign rulers and how the Concept of Free India took its shape in 75 years since August 15, 1947; when the British formally handed over control to our indigenous leaders/rulers ! The Freedom Fighters since 1850s to 1940s (from Bal Gandhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Gopal Krishna Gokhle, Lala Lajpat Rai, Madan Lal Dhingra, Bhagat Singh, CS Azad, RP Bismil, Subhas Chandra Bose, ‘Mahatma’ M.K. Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr Rajendra Prasad and Crores on violent or peaceful Freedom-fighters) could not have conceptualized what shape a Free, Independent India would be, after their struggle is successful. Yet the Flame of Freedom in their hearts and minds was to have a prosperous, peaceful, developed and progressive India, choosing its own path into future with own wisdom and actions !
The Path, we had to tread to attain Azaadi from foreign invaders, their cultural and religious pollution was very long and treacherous. India or Bharat Varsh of earlier centuries of last Millennium, a flourishing culture, democratic social system, following a liberal religious dictum, humane thought, caring and God-fearing family, village culture could not match the Invaders’ designs and aggression, merciless plundering of wealth and life. The most glaring weakness of that Society was infighting and lack of coordination among smaller rulers of Riyasats, unable to develop modern combat strategies or weapons !
Vasudhev Kutumbakam and Atithi Devo Bhav culture could not foresee the danger of invasion by merchants and looters. The Bharat of 1000 AD to 1500 AD could not have visualized what game Future was going to unfold for that peace-living Buddhist ahinsak Society ? Prosperity breeds lethargy and procrastination – has been dictum during the early last millennium in Indian sub-continent, in several shapes and styles !
—– ( Continued Part -II )