This year, India is celebrating the 76th Independence Day and the government has been organising several events and programmes to give a befitting tribute to the freedom fighters. To mark the 75 years of India's independence from the British rule, the Government of India started the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav on March 12, 2021, which will end on August 15, 2023.
As a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the government has initiated many programmes like the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, selfie with with Tricolour, MyGov quiz for students, among others, to promote sense of collectiveness, brotherhood, to keep the spirit of freedom alive and also to enhance the feeling of patriotism.
As we gear up for the 76th Independence Day, it is time to ponder on what real or true freedom means. We have been reading, dreaming and rejoicing in the notion of freedom. But the question is, do we really enjoy real freedom? Freedom is an essential basic right and is of paramount importance. Real freedom includes the freedom of choice, the freedom of speech, and the freedom of will. Freedom means the liberty to be free from something and to be free to do or be something.
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Now, while the whole nation is celebrating the 76th anniversary of Independence Day, the Manipur government on Wednesday, August 12 set a 48-hour deadline to government officials to exit from social media groups with communal and divisive agenda that can cause disturbance in existing peaceful social harmony and law and order situation of the state.
The order issued by Special Secretary (Home) stated, "It has come to the notice of the government that many formal and informal groups on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and other chat groups are engaged in furthering separatist, anti-national, anti-state, anti-social, communal and divisive agenda which cause disturbance in existing peaceful social harmony and law and order situation of the state."
It stated that many government officials, including many senior officers, are members of these groups inadvertently or by choice, thereby participating directly or indirectly in the furtherance of such separatist, anti-national, anti-state, anti-social and divisive agenda, while adding that some government employees are also contributing, sharing and commenting on blogging and microblogging sites in a manner which is unbecoming of a government employee.
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The government has ordered all government officials who are members of such groups to exit from such social media groups, while warning to initiate action against those failing to comply, under relevant legal and applicable conduct rules provisions.
One understands that the Constitutional right of freedom of speech and expression, however, is not absolute. Sections 292 to 294 of the Indian Penal Code provide instances of restrictions on the freedom of speech and expression in the interest of decency or morality. Another area of concern is public order, as used in Article 19. It includes not only utterances that are directly intended to lead to disorder but also those that have the tendency to lead to disorder. The expression 'public order' connotes the sense of public peace, safety and tranquillity. But mere criticism of the government does not necessarily disturb public order.
This recent order has, however, created confusion both among the government employees and general public alike. Several government employees are seen exiting from social media groups, especially WhatsApp groups, irrespective of the type/basis of the groups. Apparently, many government employees left the groups fearing disciplinary action against them, though the government order had explicitly mentioned groups on social media platforms that are "engaged in furthering separatist, anti-national, anti-state, anti-social, communal and divisive agenda which cause disturbance in existing peaceful social harmony and law and order situation of the state".
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Social media has gained much importance and has been instrumental in bringing significant changes, positive as well as negative. Of course, there are many hate mongering keypad warriors. However, as many government employees are seen leaving the groups, one cannot stop but wonder "What if all government employees who are accountable to the people exit from social media groups? Will we continue to have the freedom to point out and discuss several social issues plaguing the society, if yes, who will enlighten the group members or the public, if not the authority concerned (officials)?"
India, being the biggest democracy, has guaranteed its citizens the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression. And social media platforms are one of the best media to share opinions and discuss. For a healthy democracy, dissent is necessary.
Not everyone holds or agrees to the same opinion. To healthify democracy, both the government and Opposition must be open to criticism as well as appreciation. Else the very essence of democracy will diminish. Well, let us enjoy our 76th Independence Day and our Freedom in a real sense. As Friedrich Nietzsche said, let us remember "Freedom is the will to be responsible to ourselves"
(The views expressed are personal)
