What does freedom mean to you?
The content explores the concept of freedom through various historical and social lenses, emphasising its significance. It contrasts the plight of an encapsulated parrot as a symbol of confinement. It This is compared with the extreme oppression faced by slaves in ancient Rome and during European colonialism. The author highlights the atrocities against slaves and native populations. Freedom was systematically denied based on skin colour. It was also denied based on social status. Focusing on India’s struggle, the text details the oppressive British rule and the eventual fight for independence. It concludes with a discussion of freedom as enshrined in the Indian Constitution, emphasising the balance between rights and responsibilities.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The article examines the concept of Freedom through historical and social perspectives, highlighting its significance.
- It contrasts the plight of a caged parrot. The parrot’s situation is compared to the severe oppression faced by slaves in ancient Rome and during colonial rule.
- India’s struggle against British oppression emphasised the fight for Freedom, leading to the adoption of a Constitution that guarantees it.
- Freedom comes with rights and responsibilities; individuals must exercise their freedoms without harming others or compromising national interest.
- The article concludes that true Freedom requires balance, self-restraint, and adherence to laws for societal harmony.
Plight of the caged
Who else can better feel the importance of freedom than a parrot enclosed in a small cage? The cage is so small that the bird can barely move. The sight is painful. I wonder what the bird would say if it had the power of speech and emotion. One can better feel the pathetic state of the beautiful bird by imagining themselves as an encaged parrot. The situation of a caged parrot reminds about the condition of Roman times when slaves led a caged life. Forced to confine themselves to the cellular space, slaves would come out only to work. Their cell devoid of natural light and fresh air.
Liberated and bondaged
Bondage deprives an organism of personal choice in deeds, speech, or movement. In contrast, freedom is bliss. It elates an organism. Freedom is a feeling. It is the most important thing an organism with impulse longs for. Invertebrates and even lower vertebrates, like fish or amphibians, do not feel bondage. As it progressed, the longing for freedom became intense. It is obvious in the avifauna or mammals.
Humans and freedom
In humans, it is at the top because of a highly developed brain and their cognitive abilities. Being at the apex, humans should value freedom more than any other organism. Paradoxically, hegemonic humans caged or chained animals of various kinds for personal gain and amusement. They would use animals to drag carts, draw water, or carry out repetitive work like cold pressing oilseeds. (Philosophy.institute)
Humans caged humans
Enslaving didn’t stop here. Furthermore, humans caged humans. They enslaved other humans and behaved rudely. Confinement and deprivation of interactive movement at will are excruciating. During societal development, the inhuman tendency to confine fellow humans was frequent. Various forms of deprivation were in practice. Among them, slavery and bondage were the most common forms.
Slavery
The chattel slavery system prevailed in olden times. Wealthy people would sell and buy slaves like commodities. Forced labour and deprivation of freedom had been common. The menace notably prevailed in ancient Rome, Greece, Egypt, and the USA. It also existed in ancient India, but in a different form.
Slavery in India
Slavery persisted in India from around 1000 BC – 800 AD. Termed as Dāsa, or Dāsī, they mostly belonged to Shūdra Verna, the lowest social strata. A system of social classification based on their profession used to be in practice. There were four categories, namely BrajminIn ancient India, Mostly they worked as domestic worker, agricultural labourers or debt bandage. Their life, though, was less harsh than that of those in ancient Rome or Greece.
Slavery in Rome
The life of a slave during Roman times was excruciatingly painful. They were chattel slaves. People from a vanquished state would forced into galley or slavery and put to severe hardship. The collared and chained slaves traded in an open market like lifeless commodities or cattle. They wore an iron collar around their neck. The collar inscribed their slave status. These slaves used to be sold in the open market.
Pathetic conditions of slaves
The slaves faced harsh treatment. They worked at hazardous sites in unsanitary conditions for extended hours on a meagre diet. Based on their utility and need, children from slave women also treated similarly. Slaves had no personal will or liberty, though some societies allowed manumission. Forced to lead a meaningless life, they would toil for their masters. Often flogged blue and black, slaves often eliminated by their masters. Misdeeds towards the chattel enslaved were not a crime.
“Spartacus”
In his famous book “Spartacus”, Howard Fast has described this vividly. Pulchritudinous, physically fit and powerful men forced to join in gladiatorial fights. They entertained crying and yelling crowds of elites of higher weight. Often, forced to satiate the sexual pangs of elite nymphomaniacs. Writers use creative freedom and imagination to create works of fiction. Yet, it is equally true that fictional works have a base. It gives a glimpse of customary things and the movement of society.
Vying for supremacy
During the medieval period, European countries were vying for sea supremacy to keep a stronghold on trade routes. Money was being splurged on long sea voyages. Intrepid sailors took too long and unpredictable sea voyages searching for sea routes, new islands and countries. This was the time when pirates were a menace. They would loot the commercial ships, set them on fire, and enslave captives. The rule of law, the concept of freedom, liberty and human dignity were irrelevant. The principle of “Might is Right” was prevalent.
Colonisation
European countries like Britain, France, Portugal, and Spain took such voyages. Spain was the first country to colonise America. Expansionists wanted to gain prominence in trade and commerce. To achieve this, they started colonising new territories. Rampant cupidity, greed and sybaritic desires gave no space to human values and dignity.
Karl Marx
The famous thinker Karl Marx looked at the expansionist tendency as imperialism. Marx argues that markets are necessary to absorb the increased influx of finished goods. This, in turn, necessitates newer areas as their colonies. It results in more colonisation. Later, Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov “Lenin”, said that imperialism was the highest stage of capitalism. Conflicts of interest led to fierce battles, and the fight for dominance became aggressively intense. Growing mechanisation fuelled this tendency. Having superior naval power, the Britons had an edge over others. Defeating their rivals, they expanded their empire far and wide.
Native’s culture and colonisation
Colonisation of new territories by imperialists faced a tough fight from the natives. The imperialists trampled the culture, customs, and traditions of the natives. They meticulously replaced these with their artificial ways, disregarding the natives’ traditions and will. Descent and discontentment of natives were ruthlessly crushed. Farmers had to cultivate indigo in three-fourths of their fields and hand it over to their oppressors at throwaway prices. It
Freedom is intrinsic
Though intrinsic and essential, it was completely ignored by colonial masters for parochial motives. times. Though it is important for a dignified life, oppressions in various forms insidiously crept in. Skin colour, race and ethnicity became prime criteria of prominence. White skin was the guarantee of being elite. Natives were considered third-class people in their own country. They were viewed with disdain and treated meanly. Ironically, the invading whites keep human rights and freedom reserved for themselves. While ruling India, they used to call native Indians “dogs” and try to treat them like that. Places which were reserved for whites had an affixed placard depicting their racial hatred.
British colonisation in India
India experienced a long spell of oppression, autocracy, suppression, exploitation and slavery in some form or another. It was at its peak during British colonisation. The Britons came here for trade and commerce. Later, established their rule and raised armies. They fought with local rulers and expanded their empire using every possible means. They extracted by taxing people, levying “Lagān”, and blackmailing local rulers for extortion. Their sole aim was to mint money without considering goodwill for the natives. They extensively milked them and prohibited them from growing crops of their choice in their fields. Farmers were compelled to grow indigo in three-fourths of their fields. The life of once-happy natives became reduced to slavery and suppression.
1857: The first war of independence
The excessive autocracies, heavy tax burdens, and confiscation of princely states under the doctrine of lapse brewed dissatisfaction and resentment. Discontent erupted in 1857 in a historic strife, the first war of independence. It was against the autocracies of the East India Company. Though the siege was crushed, it shook the roots of the East India Company. The Queen took over, and British rule started. It was yet another phase of slavery in the country. The country reeled under the burden of the foreign yoke and struggled hard to get rid of it. After a long struggle and sacrifices, the country was ultimately freed, but was dismembered. Bleeding India staggered and stood up to move, and now it is among the world powers whose voice has weight. The world’s fourth-largest economy, India, has attained self-sufficiency and a strong defence infrastructure.
Free India and Constitution
Free India gives utmost importance to freedom. Soon after independence, people ceased to be mere subjects. They emancipated as “We the People of India” and adopted the Constitution. It guarantees justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity for all its citizens with an undercurrent of freedom.
Freedom has been assured in the Constitution of the country. Article 19 of the Constitution grants freedom to the citizens of India. It ensures:
- Freedom of Expression
- Freedom of Religious Practice
- Freedom of Work
- Freedom of Movement and settlement anywhere in the country
It is the essence of the Indian ethos and part of the thought process of society. These are the Fundamental Rights; inherent and organic.
Rights and duties
Freedom grants rights, but it also imposes duties. These rights must be exercised with great care to avoid harming the social fabric, national interests, and overall harmony. For instance, the right to express one’s opinions allows individuals to speak for the government. It also permits them to speak against the government, its policies, and its governance. Yet, it is essential to recognize that this right is not absolute; it can be questioned or restricted when necessary.
Individual freedom has limitations. It ends where others start. No one can trespass on others’ space. It is punishable under the law. To put it differently, a thief breaching a house is committing a crime. On the same token, no one can use the loud public announcement system without the locality’s consent.
Sovereignty and national interest
No one can be permitted to compromise national security, sovereignty and national interest. The fourth column has a special role to play. Nevertheless, the breach should be taken seriously. It can’t hide behind the curtain of freedom. Criticism is the soul of democracy, and asking questions is an intrinsic part of it. Yet, setting a narrative by lopsided reporting or misleading facts that harm national interest can’t be natural. It tantamounts to a breach of security and safety of the nation.
In the end
Those who breach peace are, by any means, against the principle of freedom. Unabated freedom is untamed and wild. Even Mother Nature observes restraint, and the natural phenomena are governed by rules. It is necessary to regularise things either by intrinsic self-controlling mechanisms or by making laws. Observing them is mandatory.
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