The burdens of freedom

[1]

Francis Gonsalves [1]

“At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom… But freedom brings responsibilities and burdens and we have to face them in the spirit of a free and disciplined people.” Jawaharlal Nehru’s famous “tryst with destiny” speech warned us that freedom brings “responsibilities and burdens”. Have we borne these burdens?
Early in 1945 Gandhiji prophesied: “Freedom is bound to come. It is coming. But mere political freedom will not satisfy me. Freedom means nothing less than the realisation of the ‘Kingdom of God within you’ and on this earth.” This Kingdom of God is basically “within” you — an inner freedom that requires responsibility.
Islam and Christianity share some beliefs on freedom and responsibility. The Quranic word khalifa can be regarded as the foundation for freedom and responsibility. Al-Tabataba’i, a modern Quran commentator, interprets khalifa as “God’s deputy” in the sense that Allah creates human deputies (khalifat Allah) to be agents of freedom. Thus, to be truly free one must ask: “What is Allah’s will for me?” rather than boast, “I’m free to do whatever I want!”
Today, Catholics also celebrate the “Assumption of Mary”. It’s believed that Mary, mother of Jesus, was taken up into heaven at the end of her earthly life. Mary sincerely sought to be faithful to God. Her words, “I am God’s servant, be it done to me according to God’s will” inspire us not to selfishly seek satisfaction of our own needs, but to serve God by being free and faithful servants of humanity.
Being interiorly free is not enough; for we must also strive for freedom of all Indians. In the same speech Nehru said: “The service of India means the service of the millions who suffer. It means the ending of poverty and ignorance and disease and inequality of opportunity.” Freedom from poverty, ignorance, disease and inequality, ultimately, is the yardstick by which we measure our national freedom.
Freedom with responsibility means that my independence is inextricably intertwined with yours. Independence Day is a celebration of our daily interdependence and challenges us to bear each other’s burdens.
As a deeply religious people, we believe that Ram-Rahim-Ishwar want us all to be free. Gandhi’s “Kingdom of God” vision was probably shaped by the promise in the Bhagavad Gita: “Aham tva sarvapapebhyo moksayisyami: ma sucah”, which means “I will deliver you from all evils: fear not!” Today, as winds waft the spirit of Indian Independence with the fluttering of Tirangas and strains of the Jana, Gana, Mana, with hastanjali let us plead for the auspicious blessings of the Vidhata of our future; and let’s join hands with all peoples to make India a truly liberated heaven on earth. Jai Hind!

— Francis Gonsalves is the principal of the
Vidyajyoti College of Theology, Delhi. He is involved in interfaith dialogue and peoples’ initiatives for fostering justice, harmony and peace. He can be contacted at fragons@gmail.com [2]