66) Happy Independence?

Happy Independence Day

A wish that feels hollow & empty to me today as a woman!

As even today, 77 yrs later, it is a woman who is questioned 

No matter how heinous the crime, the victim is at fault

Because she has no freedom of clothing, of work, of time, of location,

No matter how free the country is, she is restricted

If not by her family, then by the society, by her own fear of safety.

Today I am lucky

Yes lucky - because I've the freedom of life, of work, of speech, of choice

And I'm lucky that I get these basic needs which are every person's right 

But the freedom from fear - who can grant me that?

The curfew & restrictions on me ?

I doubt it!

Because if they can breach places of love, of work, of worship,

They can breach those curfews

Because the problem is not me!

And when the basic right to life is in jeopardy, the right to happiness is only a dream

So if there is no true independence for all

And in light of continual horrifying incidents - no happiness as well

Then what exactly are we celebrating today?

Happy Independence Day!

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