– Syed Tanveer Ahmed
Injustice is as old as humanity itself. From the very dawn of human history, the earth has witnessed acts of oppression and cruelty. The first recorded injustice was the tragic killing of Hābeel (Abel) by his own brother Qābeel (Cain) – a reminder that envy, greed, and the lust for power have been with us from the very beginning. Since then, the story of human civilisation has been marred by repeated episodes of injustice – sometimes committed openly, sometimes under the cover of law, politics, or power.
In our times, injustice takes many shapes and spreads across every corner of the globe. Among the gravest of these is the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people. The indigenous population of Palestine is being systematically uprooted, displaced, and deprived of their homeland. For decades, they have endured military occupation, siege, and daily humiliation. Yet, the so-called champions of democracy and human rights among the world’s powerful nations remain silent – or worse, actively support these crimes. Their complicity emboldens the aggressors and perpetuates the suffering of an entire people.
Economic injustice, too, is rampant. The United States, the world’s most powerful economy, often imposes unilateral sanctions and trade barriers against nations that refuse to align with its political agenda. These measures – whether in the form of tariffs, embargoes, or financial restrictions – inflict suffering on millions of ordinary people, crippling economies and undermining sovereignty. In an interconnected world, such economic weaponization is nothing short of a modern form of colonisation.
Closer to home, India is not free from the shadow of injustice. Our democracy, once celebrated as vibrant and resilient, now faces serious challenges. Recent events have raised troubling questions about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process. Allegations of fake voter registrations, manipulation of electoral rolls, and administrative bias have surfaced, most notably in Bihar and West Bengal. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has publicly accused the Election Commission of failing to address these concerns, and has pledged to present evidence of electoral malpractice. Yet, the Commission has remained largely silent, further eroding public trust.
This is not a partisan issue; it is about the very foundation of our democracy. If elections are compromised, the legitimacy of governance itself comes into question. An electoral process that lacks integrity is not merely a procedural flaw; it is a profound injustice against every citizen whose voice and vote are meant to matter equally.
As India observes its Independence Day, it is an opportune moment for reflection. Freedom is not a static achievement; it must be defended and renewed. True independence cannot exist without justice – social, political, and economic. This day should not merely be an occasion for ceremonial flag-hoisting, but a solemn reminder of our duty as citizens.
Let’s, therefore, take a collective pledge: to oppose injustice in all its forms, whether it occurs abroad or at home, whether it targets the marginalised or the majority, whether it is committed with bullets or with ballots. Our silence in the face of injustice makes us complicit; our action can make us free.
It’s time to rise – peacefully, firmly, and consistently – until justice becomes the unshakable foundation of our society. Only then will our Independence be truly complete.
