I AM FREER THAN YOU
Hearing about the good work I have done in the area of Counselling and restoration of children in conflict with the law, I was visited by a member of the juvenile justice board from another city. JJB member holds the power of first-class magistrate as a bench. Usually, they are politically appointed and belong to a certain fanatic organization. After having a general conversation he asked:
Member: You are from which city?
I was born and brought up in this city itself.
Member: What is your religious faith?
Christianity
Member: Your forefathers must have converted to Christianity….
Must have
Member: Why don’t you consider coming back to Hinduism?
Certainly I am free to choose which faith I should subscribe to. I think I am freer than you to convert to a different religion.
Member: how come?
Can you convert to Islam or Christianity?
Member: for that, I need to have the willingness.
Suppose you have the willingness to do so, can you?
Member: Well in America I can but not in India.
So you would concede that I have more freedom to become a Hindu than you have to become a Muslim or Christian in India.
Member: Yes
We should respect free will without which freedom is not possible and not build Taliban-kind of a society and take away the people’s free will because it will affect everyone negatively.
(After having this conversation he asked me to help him with the psychological issues he faces. I am hoping to continue the conversation or he would meet Apollos to water it)