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Are We Truly Free? – A Reflection on the Illusion of Freedom
Freedom is a word that resonates deeply in the hearts of nations and individuals alike. It is celebrated with flags waving in the wind, national anthems echoing in stadiums, and speeches glorifying the sacrifices of those who fought for it. Yet, as the poem in the image questions,
“Hum azaad hokar bhi yahan azaad nahi”
are we truly free, or is our freedom just a ceremonial illusion?
The Paradox of Independence
Political independence is often mistaken for complete freedom. A country may have its own flag, constitution, and government, yet its people may still live in the chains of corruption, inequality, and injustice. The poem speaks of grand claims “behfizul daawey” but the absence of true justice. Public shaming, dishonor, and injustice prevail, often ignored by society and protected by flawed legal systems.
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Justice Without Fairness
A society cannot claim to be free if its justice system serves only the powerful. The verses highlight how those who destroy dignity in public may walk away unpunished, while the innocent are labelled guilty. True freedom requires equal rights and accountability — without them, independence becomes a hollow word.
Education or Indoctrination?
The poem points toward a critical truth: when education becomes a tool for control rather than liberation, it fails its purpose. A system that suppresses free thought and inquiry, branding truth-seekers as troublemakers, only deepens intellectual slavery. Real freedom requires minds that can question, challenge, and innovate without fear.
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Sacrifices Forgotten
Generations before us gave their lives to free their homeland. They envisioned a society of dignity, justice, and unity. But when the soil remains tainted with corruption, oppression, and silence, their sacrifices lose meaning. The poem laments this betrayal the land remains the same, yet its fragrance of true freedom is gone.
The Silence That Enables Tyranny
One of the most powerful lines in the poem speaks of people enduring injustice in silence. When citizens fear speaking out, when voices are silenced by threats or apathy, oppression thrives. In such an environment, people may move, speak, and work yet spiritually and morally, they are no different from “walking corpses.”
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Freedom Beyond Flags and Fireworks
Celebrating Independence Day is important — but it should be a moment of self-reflection, not self-delusion. True freedom is not just the absence of foreign rulers; it is the presence of justice, equality, dignity, and the right to live without fear. Until these are achieved, the poet’s words remain painfully relevant:
Azaadi ka jashn manate yahan, magar hum azaad nahi.
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