By Syed Manwar Ali
India’s Independence Day, celebrated every year on 15 August, is an occasion of national pride, remembrance and celebration. Across the country, the day is marked by flag-hoisting ceremonies, speeches, cultural programs and public gatherings. Yet independence also invites a more difficult question: what does freedom mean when measured not only by the sovereignty of a state but by the rights and freedoms enjoyed by the people living within it?
That question becomes particularly relevant in Kashmir, where the political dispute has remained unresolved for decades. While India presents its Independence Day as a celebration of freedom from colonial rule, Kashmir continues to be viewed through a very different political and human lens. Heavy security arrangements, restrictions on public activity and close monitoring during important occasions have repeatedly drawn attention to the gap that can exist between the language of freedom and the experience of people living in a conflict zone.
The Indian government has consistently argued that its policies in Kashmir are aimed at restoring peace, promoting development and strengthening stability. There is no doubt that economic development, improved infrastructure and greater access to public services matter to the people of the region. But development alone cannot settle a political question, nor can it replace the need for civil liberties. Roads, schools and investment may improve everyday life, but lasting peace also requires confidence, political participation and a sense among ordinary people that their voices are heard.
For years, Kashmir has lived with political uncertainty and a heavy security presence. The consequences are not confined to politics. They affect ordinary routines, public expression and the relationship between citizens and institutions. Human rights organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression, movement and political activity. Such concerns deserve to be considered seriously, regardless of the political position one takes on the wider dispute.
This is not an argument against India’s right to celebrate its independence. Rather, it is a reminder that the values associated with independence should extend beyond national ceremonies. Freedom is not simply the achievement of a state becoming independent from another power. In a democratic society, freedom also means the ability of citizens to express their views without fear, participate in political life, seek justice and live with dignity. The strength of a democracy is ultimately judged not by the grandeur of its celebrations but by the protection it provides to those whose views may be unpopular or inconvenient.
The Kashmir dispute has also imposed a lasting cost on relations between Pakistan and India. Generations have grown up with the consequences of a conflict that has repeatedly produced mistrust, military tension and political confrontation. The issue has survived changes of government and diplomatic initiatives because neither security measures nor political rhetoric have been sufficient to resolve its deeper questions.
Yet the people of South Asia cannot afford to allow the past to dictate the future indefinitely. Pakistan and India have enormous populations whose aspirations are not fundamentally different. They want economic security, education, employment, better healthcare and a peaceful future for their children. Continued confrontation consumes political energy and resources that could instead be directed towards development and regional cooperation.
A durable settlement in Kashmir will not emerge through force alone. Military measures may suppress unrest temporarily, but they cannot by themselves create political legitimacy or public trust. Likewise, diplomatic statements without meaningful engagement are unlikely to change realities on the ground. What is required is sustained dialogue, confidence-building and a willingness to listen to the people most affected by the dispute.
Dialogue does not mean that either side must immediately abandon its longstanding position. It means recognizing that disagreements cannot be resolved if the other side is treated as permanently illegitimate or incapable of having legitimate concerns. Pakistan and India have spoken about peace at various points in their history, only to see progress interrupted by crises and renewed hostility. The lesson should not be that dialogue has failed, but that dialogue needs patience, continuity and political courage.
(The writer is a social and political analyst and keeps putting his opinions on various issues. He can be reached at editorial@metro-morning.com)
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