India, July 11 -- 78 Years of Freedom-A Celebration in Chains? As India completes 78 years of independence in 2025, the national flag will once again fly high, official speeches will highlight progress and development, and leaders will speak of democracy with pride. But behind the razzmatazz and patriotic slogans lies the slow erosion of the values our Republic was built on, especially the promise of equality and dignity for all.

For many of India's religious minorities, the idea of freedom often feels distant, even threatening. What should have been a shared inheritance is, for some, turning into a struggle for basic rights and security. While the ceremonies may be grand, the everyday experience of many paints a very different picture....