Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav? Indeed. Those who murdered and raped Bilkis Bano and her family, including a three-year-old child, got freedom –– Azadi –– from jail and celebrated the Amrit Mahotsav by being feted, garlanded and fed sweets.
The grave injustice to Bilkis Bano and her family will go down in the annals of history as an indelible blot on the country which claims to be the “world’s largest democracy.” History will bear witness to how an independent nation, claiming to celebrate freedom, celebrates criminals and rapists and conducts itself in an uncivilised manner.
“Swaraj, for me, means freedom for the ‘meanest’ of our countrymen. I am not interested in freeing India merely from the English yoke. I am bent upon freeing India from any yoke whatsoever.” said Mahatma Gandhi. Will this country ever achieve that ideal?
Madras Courier, 22 August 2022
Ankahi. Unsaid. 