Zarrar Chohan
M. Zararchohan@gmail.com
“Assalamu Alaikum, children. Please sit down.”“Today’s topic is extremely important, and you need to understand it because, in the years ahead, it will shape your success in life, your purpose, whether you live with dignity or with your head bowed, whether you live like a lion or spend your life as part of a herd of sheep, whether you establish your own identity or live a meaningless life.Think of the life of Tipu Sultan, who famously said that one day of a lion’s life is better than a hundred years of a jackal’s life. Or think of Bahadur Shah Zafar, who experienced a life and death marked by helplessness.Should we bow before oppression, or sacrifice our lives for the truth? Should we remain silent out of fear of Yazid, or stand with the truth as Imam Hussain did?”The teacher paused and then said:“Today’s topic is Freedom.We celebrate our Independence Day on August 14.
We did not receive freedom on a silver platter. Behind it were the tireless efforts of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his companions, as well as the sacrifices of millions of Muslims who gave their lives for Pakistan.Thousands of women suffered sexual violence, innocent children were massacred, and countless mothers lost their brave sons. Millions of people abandoned their homes, lands and properties. They left behind the soil where they had grown up, the streets of their childhood, and even the final resting places of their ancestors, never to return.They came to Pakistan with the dream that they would have a separate homeland where they could live according to the principles of Islam, free from British and Hindu domination. They believed that Muslims themselves would govern their own country and stand alongside the people to fulfil their needs.They dreamed that their children, and generations to come, would breathe in a free and sovereign country. Their children would be protected from hunger, poverty, disease, oppression and brutality. They would receive justice, and their rulers would always stand with them in their times of suffering.”The teacher fell silent for a moment.
One child stood up and said, “Sir, please tell us more about freedom.”The teacher replied, “That is enough, children. The syllabus only covers this much. We are not allowed to teach anything outside the course. Now sit down and do not insist.”But the child remained standing.“Sir, you have told us what price our ancestors had to pay to achieve freedom. But what did they receive in return? Did their descendants receive the fruits of the freedom for which our ancestors paid such a heavy price?You give us the example of Tipu Sultan and tell us that one day of a lion’s life is better than a hundred years of a jackal’s life. So please tell us, Sir—are we truly living freely?”The child continued passionately:“You also tell us about Hazrat Umar, the Caliph of Islam. An ordinary man once stood up in front of him and questioned him about his clothing. The man asked: ‘You received only one piece of cloth, so where did you get the second one?’An ordinary citizen had the courage to question the most powerful ruler of his time. Isn’t that what true freedom means?Freedom means that the oppressed receive swift and affordable justice. It means that the law is equal for everyone. Whoever commits a crime should be punished according to the law, whether that person is poor, wealthy or even a ruler.
No one should be above the law.The wealth of the country should not benefit only the rulers; ordinary citizens should also share in the prosperity of their nation.Every sick person should have access to free medical treatment. No one should go to bed hungry.Rich and poor should have equal opportunities to receive education. Employment should be based on merit.Judges should be completely independent and make decisions according to their conscience. The poor and the elite should face the same law. No institution should be above the Constitution and the law.”The teacher again became silent.The student stood up once more and asked:“Sir, please tell us: Are the fruits of freedom equally available to everyone in Pakistan today?Do we truly have freedom of expression?Are our courts independent?Does no one in Pakistan go to bed hungry?Do we have a system that provides swift justice?Does every sick person have access to treatment?Are everyone’s dignity and honour protected?Please tell us, Sir.
Give us an answer!”The teacher began trembling with anger.Finally, he said:“I have no answer.”He paused and quietly added:“All I know is that I am the father of three daughters, and they have no support other than me.”With these words, the teacher walked out of the classroom.
