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Freedom is not about sunbathing naked on the beach. From an empirical viewpoint, freedom and responsibility are in a sense conjoined. They constitute the foundation for interaction, enterprise, developing our sense of identity, and contributing meaningfully to society. Real freedom is internal, as it relates to becoming aware (and later free) of the psychological and social conditioning that was placed upon us since the day we were born and has been progressively reinforced to us ever since. Humanity has to accept in our hearts and minds that freedom comes with responsibility. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility. For the person who is unwilling to grow up, the person who does not want to carry his own weight, this is a frightening prospect.” At a time when our very ideas and practice of freedom seem to be under threat from a series of sinister acts and behaviours by those who would profess to care for this freedom, being responsible with freedom has become prominently paramount.
Freedom of speech expression
It is well understood yet not fully recognized the right to express any viewpoint is a natural right given by God. What is not recognized is that at the same time we are also endowed with a conscience to say and do the right things. The most essential purpose is to think about what is good. That’s our conscience. But one cannot have a right to conscience without also having a right to say what he thinks because his conscience will tell him that he must tell others what he thinks is right. That’s the nature of conscience. The danger is that a “conscience” tends to get anchored in preconceived viewpoints obscuring reason and thus abdicating responsibility. In the circumstance, censorship hurts and hardens the minds of the censured, preventing her from participating in open debates. Debates by which the mind can be changed, turn into fruitless arguments because of preconceived views.
In the real world how, it is said is more important than what is said. Use of repugnant and irresponsible language like “poisonous” used by Donald Trump for immigrants in the USA recently and “maut ka saudagar”, “Pappu” and “Chowkidar chor hain” by Indian politicians in the past, feed the grill of the media and seldom sway the electorate. Conversely the right to critique the authoritiess includes the right to critique the Government, including matters of security. In a free country, public discussion is not only a matter of right but also a political duty as the greatest threat to freedom is an inactive nation of people. Free political discussion is essential for the proper functioning of a democratic government. The problem in India is it is always that discussions (to reach what is right) turn into arguments (to see who is right) with no results. Unfortunately, that is the case between elected representatives in the august houses as well. In a democracy, the elected and the electorate have equal responsibilities to uphold freedom.
Freedom of the press
Freedom of the media is nothing but an aspect of freedom of speech and expression. yet it has to stick to the limitations which have been imposed upon them by the Constitution. Therefore it is held rightly that the media is considered to be an impartial medium of reaching the people’s views to the masses, some regulation is necessary as meaningful self regulation is unachievable in the absence of self regulated responsible behavior. Amendment to the Constitution of India in 1951 and 1963 enables the legislature to levy restrictions on freedom of speech and expression, on the grounds of Sovereignty and Integrity of India, security of the State, friendly relations with the foreign states, public order,decency or morality, contempt of court, defamation and incitement to an offence.Censorship hurts the censors by preventing meaningful debates. Though one has a right to her own conscience, she must not rely on it alone. She is fallible. conscience is fueled by knowledge which can be gathered by debating different points of views. Instead of debating openly without prejudice, if one starts arguing a point of view it attracts only retaliation; a self-destructive cowardice and a pointless exercise with no benefits.
House of representatives
It is damning to note that the aspect of responsible behavior is repeatedly violated blatantly in the august federal and central legislatures by the very representatives elected to ensure freedom and equality. The non produc6tive hours in the assembly and parliament session over the years is well documented.
Tailpiece: Freedom is the power of choice that individuals have in society, while responsibility is the attitude of the person to respond for the actions chosen freely without prejudice to effects on the society. The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.
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