India was once ruled by the British, and our freedom fighters made immense sacrifices to secure independence. Their struggle ensured that Indians could enjoy the fundamental rights of liberty, thought, expression and speech. Today, however, concerns are being raised about the safety of our democracy. As law-abiding citizens, we have the right to express our views and protest peacefully. Why, then, is the present BJP government imposing so many restrictions to prevent such protests? Peaceful demonstrations are an essential part of a functioning democracy. Citizens must be allowed to voice their concerns and question those in power without facing unnecessary restrictions. The right to protest peacefully is not merely a privilege but an important democratic right that must be respected. If restrictions are imposed by misusing authority to silence dissent, it raises serious questions about the state of our democracy. The sacrifices made by our freedom fighters should not be forgotten, and the rights they fought for must be protected. If peaceful protests are suppressed, I can only conclude that our democracy is indeed in danger.
ANITA FERNANDES, Verna
