Rev Kelhizulo Lasuh
Hence, it is very important to think of freedom of conscience. As long as we give freedom to the conscience, we do right. But when we suppress conscience we suppress ourselves. Therefore, we should follow the direction of the conscience both for our spiritual life as well as for physical health. Then only the individual can be mentally, spiritually and physically healthy.
In the same way we should not allow others to suppress one’s freedom of conscience. In our society today, there are many factors, which suppress freedom of conscience.
Democracy is based on the freedom of conscience. In a democratic country, citizens are asked to cast their vote according to their own conscience. Thus in politics also we should not forget the importance of freedom of conscience in human personality.
Every citizen needs freedom of choice and participation according to the voice of conscience. Unfortunately in our society today, there are several elements which suppress freedom of conscience. Particularly, in freedom movements the faction wants to have their own way and suppresses freedom of conscience and other democratic rights of the citizens. Freedom of speech and expression has been curbed in many ways. Whenever, the public raises its voice the individuals are picked up by the factions and silenced. While we fight for political freedom our basic freedom and human right should not be taken away. We have fundamental right of freedom of speech and freedom of expression. The basic human rights of the citezens have been often suppressed by the factions. This is a very unfortunate thing in political scene today. All citizens must have equal right. In political philosophy we acknowledge that socialism is useful to some extend, but it has tendency to curb human freedom, which is the dark side of its philosophy. Therefore all citizens must stand for democracy. The kind of Socialism practiced by the factions is irrelevant to Naga people. There is constant desire in human heart for freedom. Thus when a philosophy, or a state or a political movement suppresses human freedom it suppresses freedom of conscience. In such case the citizens will not be happy with such movement. From the time immemorial Nagas had been living with democratic setup in the society. Therefore, Nagas should stand for democracy and propagate democracy.
Though India is said to be the largest democratic country in the world, there are several extremist element which are trying to curb freedom of conscience. Several important religions in the world originated in India. And today all important religions exist in India. In this pluralistic society freedom of conscience is very important. People of India should be given individual freedom; such as freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion and freedom to propagate one’s own religion. Unfortunately, the Hindu majority today, in stead of using freedom of religion and propagation, they become offensive and began to attack Muslims and Christians. Let freedom of religions remain in India as an important asset of the citizens. Allow every person to share his or her faith with others, and allow the individual person to decide for his or her own religion. If a person wants to change his or her religion, leave him or her alone to decide. Why in a democratic country we check some one to propagate his or her own religion. Or get angry when one decides to change her or his faith. In the past Hindu thinkers took pride for the great tolerance of Hindu religion. But, today Hindus have become very narrow and offensive. Why in the largest democrat country Christians are persecuted and Muslims are massacred? Why do the Hindus ignore human right of the citizens? The constitutions of India promulgate freedom of religion; that is freedom to believe, freedoms to propagate one’s faith. Such basic human rights have been denied to the minority in India. The freedoms of conscience of individual citizens in India have been suppressed by the Hindu majority. When you have freedom, others also need the same freedom. I want every citizen to make full use of freedom of conscience.
Both Hindus and Muslim go against conversion. Conversion is a matter of the freedom of conscience. If one’s conscience allows him or her to convert, why another person or community should stop him or her? Every religion converts people of other faiths. So why do you convert and prohibit others not to convert? Non-Christian often talks about Christianity in North East India. Yes, many evils exist in Christian Community in the same way it exists in Hindu community and in Muslim community. The existence of evil and good in the society cannot be avoided. In North East India insurgency movements and its factions mars the image of Christianity. But RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal and other extremist organizations mar Hinduism and certainly terrorism has been damaging the image of Islam. So why blame only Christianity?
Muslims are willing to propagate their religion and so from Mecca it was spread to many countries. India is the cradle of Hinduism, but now it is spread to many countries. Buddhism does the same. One religion need not oppose another. If any religion goes against God’s Will, God Himself will deal with that religion. Let us not suppress the freedom of conscience of individual citizens.
(BTC, Pfutsero, Nagaland)
