Gandhiji’s decision to launch the Salt March in 1930 was a bold and unconventional move against British colonial rule, which imposed a monopoly on salt production and a tax on its purchase. Not only did the insignificance of something as ordinary as salt confused his adversaries but many of Gandhi’s contemporaries also doubted the effectiveness of this strategy. It was considered nothing short of ridicule as it seemed too simplistic to challenge the might of the British Empire. Despite the scepticism, Gandhi persisted with his plan, believing in the power of civil disobedience and the symbolism of salt, an essential commodity that was made evasive by unfair British law and impacted every Indian at par. The 241-mile march to Dandi, where Gandhi made salt from seawater, galvanised the Indian population, drew global attention to the Indian independence movement and became the symbol of resistance for every common Indian against British imperialism.

The aforementioned event underscores the significance of the fact that a thought or an idea, however small or irrelevant at the time of its conception, has the potential to change lives beyond imagination. Ideas are not simply created but are an outcome of human intellect and curiosity, which, when given freedom to flourish, becomes a game changer. Whether good, bad or neutral, ideas must continue to evolve, and for this, the right to think freely is a fundamental condition. The whole incident showed that it’s better to think and work on it, irrespective of whether it’s right or wrong, instead of sitting idle and doing nothing.

Right to Think refers to the fundamental freedom of individuals to form, hold, and express their own thoughts, ideas, and beliefs without undue interference or suppression. This right is crucial for personal autonomy, intellectual growth, and the advancement of societies. Though thinking, a natural psychological process, is present in every animate being, the evolution of thinking to the Right to think is a novel human innovation that began with Socrates in ancient Greece, who championed the importance of questioning and critical thinking, believing that an unexamined life is not worth living. This first laid the groundwork for intellectual freedom.

The Enlightenment period (17th-18th centuries) significantly advanced this concept. Thinkers like John Locke and Voltaire argued for the freedom of thought and expression as essential human rights, challenging authoritarianism and dogma. The inclusion of freedom of thought and expression in modern democratic constitutions, such as the First Amendment in the U.S. The Constitution further institutionalised this right. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) by the United Nations also enshrines these freedoms in Article 18 and 19.

Even in the Indian constitution, the philosophy of Right to think is showcased in many ways. For instance,the main architect of the Indian constitution, Dr. B R Ambedkar’s insistence on inclusion of provisions that ensured social justice and equality for all, particularly for marginalised communities reaffirm the importance of rational thought and critical examination leading to a transformative legal framework . This and many similar incidents thus uphold the right to think of every citizen, showing that often controversial or unpopular ideas, when pursued with conviction, can lead to profound and positive changes.

Going beyond political philosophy, the right to think has been fundamental in the development of all human schools of thought be it science, arts, social studies, economy, ethics etc. The right to think, when exercised freely, has propelled humanity forward by fostering innovation, challenging the status quo, and promoting social and intellectual progress. This freedom is essential not only for individual fulfilment but also for the collective advancement of societies, enabling diverse ideas and perspectives to flourish and drive development across various sectors.

One may wonder, why should I think when others can do the same for me? Or why even think at all? One less person not thinking will not change the world much. However, this approach and scepticism can not only be detrimental to that individual alone but to the whole of humanity itself. It may lead to stagnation, dependency, and even catastrophic outcomes, as we have seen through various courses of human history. Either when societies give up on their right to think or when such rights are denied to societies, it invariably leads to deterioration of that society.

In societies where critical thinking is suppressed, authoritarian regimes can thrive. Such lack of critical thinking can perpetuate social injustices such as racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination. For example, in Nazi Germany, the lack of critical engagement and blind obedience to Hitler’s ideology led to devastating consequences, including World War II and the Holocaust. On similar lines, without critical thinking, considering some old traditions blindly is injurious to contemporary society.

In a democracy, citizens are expected to engage critically with political processes. When people do not think critically, they may elect corrupt or incompetent leaders, leading to poor governance and erosion of democratic values. Societies that discourage independent thought may experience cultural stagnation. Without new ideas and perspectives, traditions and customs can become rigid and oppressive, hindering social progress and innovation.

Similarly, economies thrive on innovation and adaptation. When critical thinking is absent, businesses and industries may fail to adapt to changing markets and technologies, leading to economic decline and wastage of already scarce resources. Such a decline is evident today in many countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Venezuela, etc. and the environmental recklessness plagues the whole world alike.

Even at the level of the individual, engaging in critical thinking is essential for personal growth and mental well-being. Without it, individuals may experience a sense of purposelessness, depression, and anxiety. Individuals who do not think critically may become overly dependent on others for guidance and decision-making. This can lead to a lack of personal autonomy and resilience, making it difficult to navigate life’s challenges. Such a situation is often seen being faced by students in India who are forced in rat race competitions resulting student suicides. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, over 13,000 students died by suicide in 2022. This represents a significant increase from previous years, with student suicides accounting for 7.6% of all suicide deaths in India.

It can be assumed that thinking wrongly is still better and more consequential than not thinking at all because it drives engagement, fosters learning, and leads to eventual improvement. The process of making mistakes and learning from them is crucial for progress, innovation and development. Although we cannot change the past, by ensuring the free exercise of the right to think, we can solve many age-old problems. This will also inevitably create new challenges, which will drive further innovation, development, and progress for humankind.

The women’s rights movement has faced resistance and made few mistakes along the way, but it has led to significant advances in gender equality and women’s empowerment. In the way of solving the issue between men and women, today the world has started to look beyond these two genders alone and there is rising awareness about genders as a spectrum and not a binary issue. 

From believing the Industrial revolution to be the pinnacle of human development, today it is seen as the beginning of our troubles with climate change and global warming. Today, various governments have implemented climate policies that have failed or faced criticism. However, these attempts have driven global conversations and gradual improvements in environmental strategies, such as the Paris Agreement, international Solar Alliance, etc.

It is therefore important to give the right to think to every individual alike. The fear of it being right and wrong should be replaced by freedom to think more freely, guided by ethical and value-based sensitivities. In contemporary times dominated by social media, the right to think is being practised more than ever in history. However, there are certain challenges like censorship, stifling of rational voices, rising consumerism, apathy etc. that pose challenges to the very idea of critical thinking.

Furthermore, the right to think needs to be followed by freedom of expression and the capacity to convert one’s thinking into action. Without this, the whole notion of the right to think remains a hollow and meaningless idea. This can be seen in the ideas of John Stuart Mill, who argues that individuals should have the liberty to think and express themselves freely as long as it does not harm others. This principle underscores the importance of not only having the freedom to think independently but also the capacity to voice and act upon those thoughts responsibly within societal bounds.

The synergy and interconnectedness of responsible thoughts, free expression and meaningful actions is essential for turning abstract ideas into tangible change, thereby giving true meaning and relevance to the right to think in shaping a meaningful and impactful existence. In this regard, Gandhiji’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance emphasises not only the right to think independently but also the duty to act upon one’s beliefs. His approach to social and political change through action aligned thinking, has been guiding many generations on the transformative power of integrated thought and deed. 

Reserving the right to think is crucial for fostering intellectual freedom and societal growth.The ability to think freely, even imperfectly, cultivates resilience and adaptability, enabling us to tackle both longstanding and new challenges with creativity and insight. Ultimately, the freedom to think is the cornerstone of personal and collective development, paving the way for continuous advancement and discovery.

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