Kanhaiya's 'Azadi in India' aside, listen to those who want 'Azadi from India'

While agreeing absolutely with Kanhaiya Kumar that millions of people want "Azadi in India", it is also important for us not to forget that millions of other people may also want "Azadi from India". And that "Azadi in India" might require that we listen to those who want "Azadi from India".

The only way that people in this land will be free of want, hunger, indignity is through peace in South Asia, and that can happen only when the people who do not want to live under a military occupation in say, Indian administered Kashmir, or a Pakistan-administered Balochistan, are free to choose their own destinies in peace.

It is only then that the absurdity of India and Pakistan locked in a constant hostile nuclear war dance can come to an end. It is only then that we can get rid of pointless standing armies and concentrate on the social needs of all the peoples of the subcontinent.

"Azadi in India" and "Azadi in Kashmir and Manipur", or "Azadi in Balochistan (from Pakistan)", for instance, need not be seen as mutually contradictory slogans. In fact, the voicing of each slogan might require the understanding of the other.

And then we can get down to the real business at hand, the dismantling of states and borders and the formation of a world community of free and associated producers. That, is the real meaning of azadi, everywhere.

(This post first appeared on the writer's Facebook page.)