Your freedom ends where my nose begins

I just came back from the Independence Day’s celebrations in my society and was pleasantly surprised with the enthusiasm of folks waiting patiently with their kids for the flag hoisting ceremony. Most dressed in traditional Indian clothes, flag in hand, kid on shoulder – one couldn’t have, but appreciated their fervor. And typical with most things Indian, the enthusiasm was contagious – the herd mentality drove a lot of onlookers (including me) to check out the function, and pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives, so we could wave our flags on Facebook, air our opinions freely on blogs, and tweet without restraint. The function reminded me of the Independence Day celebrations in school and college, where attendance was compulsory. Ironically, we were celebrating freedom but were dictated to do so by the management.

Patriotic songs, drills and dances apart, one thing that I still recall from previous Independence Day celebrations is a story that our school Rector, Father Ronnie narrated during one such Independence Day.

Here’s how it goes:

On August 15, 1947, the day India gained independence, a young man was strolling down a street, whistling, beaming with joy, waving a stick in his hand. Naturally, the carelessly waved stick hurt a lot of people passing him. But he wasn’t really bothered. For him, his new-found freedom meant he could do anything he wished. On one such occasion, his stick hit an old man’s nose. The old man asked him to control it. But the young guy was not the one to take such advice kindly, especially on Independence Day and retorted, “Old man, perhaps you are not aware, but we are a free country now. I am free to do anything I want”. To which the senior replied, “You are correct son, you are free. But your freedom ends, where my nose begins”.

This story that I heard more than 10 years back is perhaps all the more relevant today. We live in a much open world, where our every action is under scrutiny. And there are enough moral police that preach Indian culture without understanding its essence. While democracy does give everyone the freedom to speak and do what they wish, it does not advocate blatant encroachment of personal privacy.

There is a big difference between discipline and dictats from a handful few. If some political groups believe Valentine’s Day celebration is an act of indiscipline, is trashing women in public any better? Why should shopkeepers be asked to pull down their shutters in peak business seasons, just because someone was not disciplined enough to relieve himself outside a place of worship? Simply because 15 guys with loud voices stand together with a flag in hand, while others are dispersed behind pillars and lamp posts? Indeed there is strength in numbers (that’s what gave us our freedom in the first place), but that does not give the numbered few the right to tell others what they should (or should not) do unless it’s hurting them. Why can’t we just mind our own business?

Lord Mahaveer said, “Live and let live”, and as long as our actions do not bother anyone, that’s fine. To me, that’s freedom – the power to decide for myself. To select the stream of engineering I want to, to decide my career, to marry the person I want to, to celebrate festivals and days that I want to. In the same vein, it cannot come at the cost of causing pain to others. What’s the point in celebrating Ganesh festival, when patients in a hospital en-route the procession are in pain from the loud noise? Would Lord Ganpati really bless you for bothering his devotees? How many drivers would congratulate you on your wedding after you block traffic with your baraat?

Guys, your freedom indeed ends where my nose begins. And for the Hollywood-awed, here’s a slightly tweaked quote from your favorite superhero, “With great freedom, comes great responsibility".

Jai Hind!