Born free

Ganashree Kedlaya explains why no one, especially thugs masquerading as do-gooders, can take her freedom away

Ganashree Kedlaya explains why no one, especially thugs masquerading as do-gooders, can take her freedom awayu00a0

They say it's a free world. Fundamental rights scream freedom, but disillusion is just round the corner.u00a0u00a0

There was a little bird, born in a cozy nest. She was nurtured by her family, which inspired her to spread her wings and fly. She soared high and explored the unknown without fear. Her wings grew stronger by the day and she reveled in the freedom she enjoyed.u00a0

One morning, came another flock of birds from the south. They clipped her wings and stopped her from exploring new horizons. They claimed false righteousness over virtue and branded her innocent pleasures as dangerous vices.

Shock was followed by a sense of resignation, and the once-joyous bird lost her strength. More tragic was the fact that she lost her spirit. She felt betrayed and lost. Weighed down by a deep sense of loss, she fell to the earth with an empty thud.
u00a0
A surprise awaited her. Fluttering their weak wings were scores of forlorn birds like her. She had never seen this dark side of the world. She watched unhappily as many perished. She hoped fervently when she saw a plucky few fight back against the dreamless flock. And she waited with bated breath when she saw some being 'rescued'. She too was 'rescued' only to end up in a gilded cage. Hopping about, she has now forgotten the use of her wings.u00a0

We don't have wings like the little bird, but, like her, we know what it is to be free. Doesn't it strike you as strange that we must then be 'policed' by forces whose beliefs we don't even remotely understand?

We have always been encouraged to be independent women. We hold responsible jobs. We've stormed every bastion that the other half of the population had so carefully guarded. We enjoy our mugs of beer and we love listening to our favourite songs in public places. So what?

The world is reeling under the pressure of civil wars and financial turmoil. Amidst such grave threats, a bunch of ill-informed goons threatens to assault our freedom in the name of culture. Their threats don't shock us. They make us laugh at their ignorance. There will be no more birds with clipped wings. The sky is crowded with soaring birds who look down in pity at mutilated men nursing crippled claws. ganashree.kedlaya@mid-day.com