Indian Independence Day, a Call for Reflection
Guest blogged by Shahe Kaur
On the eve of India’s Independence Day, it is difficult to not think about the haunting stories I have heard from my parents, grandparents, and others who lived through the horrific partition of India into azaad (independent or free) India and Pakistan. This partition uprooted over 10 million people and resulted in murders and brutality far too numerous to count with official accuracy, with estimates ranging from a few hundred thousand to a few million.  Many of us will likely never truly understand how much our elders are haunted by the memories of forced migration, murder, and the other atrocities that occurred when they had to uproot to the newly independent India.
As a child and throughout the time I spent with my grandmother,  I was very interested in the history of who I was and where our family came from. However, when it came to topics like partition or the atrocities that occurred in 1984, my family, particularly my grandmother did not want to talk about it. The memories were far too painful for my grandmother to ever completely tell me her story. “ Those days have passed, let them be,†was the common response that I got. Of course the vakeel (lawyer) in me, even as a child, could just not let things be. I had to know more about who we were as a family and the history that is part of the fabric of who I am today. As I pushed and pushed for more details regarding my grandmother’s journey, I began to piece together an image of the atrocities she witnessed and endured to become the woman that I knew. As she would tell me her story, each time proclaiming she had told me the same story a hundred times before, I probed more and more to gain more of her experience and account of what she had endured. Eventually she told me all that she cared to speak of, which was enough for me to get a glimpse of how deep her courage, strength, and love for her family truly was.
Thus on this eve of India’s Independence, as I think back on the memory of my grandmother, who has now passed,  I wonder what it is exactly that we are celebrating? India has become an independent nation, free from the oppressive rule of the British. But Indians are still being oppressed. Women continue to be victims of sex crimes and persecuted by law enforcement, courts of public opinion, and the judicial system while perpetrators roam free. Sikhs, who were a major driving force in gaining independence, are oppressed and have received no tangible justice for the atrocities of 1984 and the systematic genocide, discrimination, and unjust persecution that continues to date. Indian law enforcement, employed to serve justice and the people, are renowned for their abuse, soliciting bribes, and other corrupt practices. Human trafficking is a multi-million dollar business in India, with thousands of young children who fall victim to these crimes every day. The caste system is still alive and well where lower caste individuals face discrimination, exclusion, and communal violence, despite laws and policies adopted by the government.  These are just a few of the issues that I hope we as a community contemplate on this day of Indian Independence.
19 Responses to “Indian Independence Day, a Call for Reflection”
This was the most meaning full article I have read in some time.
In this wane, a son of my late professor from Toronto had posted a video of the closing of the Indian Pakistan border in the evening that he had visited. He was impressed with the pomp, and the physical aura and patriotism of the effort. Fortunately the video had no sound, but you could see lips moving, and I would imagine what was said..
The Pakistani Guard, anger in his eyes seems to say, we are indeed independent, but one day we will kill all Shiites and come after you. We are kings of theft. Our politicians are best in the world to spew hatred corruption and graft. We are masters in corruption and graft, who dare say you come close to us.
To this now the Indian Guard
You useless nation,..you dare challenge us in corruption and red tape. We make easy tasks like buying a railway ticket a chore Graft and corruption are embedded in our souls. Our politicians pray and say puja and then mercilessly plunder the poor. They are more wealthy than yours. We worship Luxami each day, but then rape our women with no mercy.
We will celebrate Independence Day, when some basic human principles and decency dwell in these lands. Unfortunately even the Fathers of Independence seem to have had no vision to shape, just nations. Their families have held to power as a God given right.
These two countries need deep soul searching .
God bless you, and that wonderful Grand mother of yours. You are indeed fortunate to have had her in your life
Forgive the errors I am typing on a Spanish keyboard in Mexico
PS
Ten million people displaced. Wow. That is half of my countrys population. So much misery for what
I totally agree with the points and ideas given in the Two Nation Theory and afterwards it becomes more necessary to separate the nations. Although I couldn't understand why they still trying to deceive each other.
Everyone have their own ideas and opinions that used to stand at any stage in their life, and they usually focus on their sayings and obligations to which they used to care about, if they are not supposed to care they don't feels satisfaction at any stage, so one can getting respect used to discover their own nation.
Completely I share your opinion. In it something is also to me this idea is pleasant, I completely with you agree.
These can again be played at better places and from anyplace.
The main necessity is a PC and a stage where the diversions are played from.
With presentation of single player amusements and multiplayer diversions,
All independence days are meant for celebration. Anything can be an independence day even launching a new office.
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