Before diving into the discussion, it is imperative to understand that there is a “want” and there is a “need” and the two can be remarkably different.  I might “want” to have an apple but my “need” could be getting rid of hunger (and not really an apple). I, in no way, claim to represent the opinion of the masses but I am certainly one among them. I believe that Azadi for a common man means freedom from the sufferings which have been unleashed on him by the political and "power" class. Sufferings encompass depriving a person of a life of dignity, honor and safety; depriving him of a way of life which he wants to live by; depriving him of the right to expression and of the right to choose and elect; depriving him of opportunities to grow and flourish based purely on capabilities; depriving him of rights guaranteed by law; depriving a mother of her son; depriving a child of his/her father;.
The political class and their agencies, in their lust for power and money, have unleashed all these sufferings and many more on the common man. They are not held accountable for their wrong doings till the time they can keep people off the streets from raising "Azadi" slogans. Equally responsible are those organizations which portray that freedom from Indian establishment will cure us of all our maladies. Kashmir suffered under Dogra rule but it suffered equally even when its own men came to power. This unfortunate legacy started from Sheikh Abdullah who, later in his life and for his own political benefits, swung between notions of Azadi and accession to India as and when it suited his political interests.
People from nowhere suddenly became millionaires overnight; corruption and unaccountability rose in every sphere of life. Government servants and their ilk enjoyed unchecked power and accumulated unimagined wealth. This phase led to another suffering in our society - erosion of moral values and destruction of our social fabric that we were so proud of. Thus the never ending saga of suffering continues - only the form and expression has changed but what has not changed is the plight of the common man and in this process the slogan for "Azadi". But "Azadi" from whom, "Azadi" from what?
The need of the hour is a new breed of unscrupulous “common” class which will embrace people who have suffered; become son to a mother whose son is killed or missing; become father to a child who is orphaned by conflict; is ready to fight and bring people a life of dignity, honor and safety; is ready to represent interests of common man over its own; is ready to work to provide opportunities to all to grow and flourish; is ready to stand for what is right and best for people;  is ready to portray realities to people and not to make false promises and generate false hopes. This needs men of strength and character. Only such men can bring "Azadi" in the real sense!  These people have to come from our very own mohalla’s, exposed to our sufferings and supported by us in this cause. A start has to be made somewhere - first in our very own localities dealing in our own local issues. Then this can become a mass movement and help us achieve “Azadi” in  real sense. Change does not take place overnight and also change cannot take place without each one of us being actively part of it. But before that each one of us needs to know our definition of "Azadi”; our “want” and our “need”.

(Feedback at g_ghaus@yahoo.com)

Lastupdate on : Thu, 8 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 8 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 9 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST