Don’t think twice. Or gone are the days when you can say anything and everything that you felt strongly about. Today, try posting what you feel strongly about and see what happens!

In a latest, a teacher with Ashoka University is facing the heat for speaking his mind. And he is not the first – in recent times – to face what he is facing. Even his university was quick to save its skins by distancing itself from his views.

Some individuals are shielded from consequences like summons, arrests, or other forms of inquiry. Yet, the same can’t be said for the average person or those in opposition.

Gurucharan Gollerkeri, a former civil servant, reflects on Operation Sindoor in a piece in the Deccan Herald newspaper.

He states that “our strength lies in our soul.” This makes me wonder: where is our collective voice? India has over a billion people. So, why have we become so hesitant to share our perspectives? Why don’t we publish our thoughts?

Gurucharan rightly points out that chauvinism, majoritarian triumphalism, and communal rhetoric have no place in our national conversation. He emphasizes that our strength truly lies in our syncretic traditions, democratic ethos, and constitutional values.

It’s a poignant reminder to consider why we are holding back. Must we understand the importance of fostering an environment where diverse opinions can be expressed without fear.

“Where the Mind is Without Fear” by Rabindranath Tagore is a poem that envisions an ideal India. In this vision, people are free from fear. They live in a society guided by reason and knowledge. It’s a prayer for a nation where the mind is unburdened. The mind can work freely, leading to true freedom. This freedom fosters progress.

Tagore’s vision revolves around a society where individuals are not afraid to think, speak, and act freely. This freedom is essential for a nation’s intellectual and moral development. Let’s wish for a society where people can live together in peace and understanding. Are you game?