India, Nov. 24 -- As a teacher, I was trained to believe that the younger generation was so fortunate to have born in independent India that guarantees them the fundamental rights to explore their full potential and excel in whatever field they choose, unhindered by the background of birth and the prejudices of caste, religion and gender, and that the governments come and go, as party of a democratic process.

I also believed that the independent institutions, such as the Judiciary, the Press, the Bureaucracy, and the Election Commission, are insulated against arbitrary actions by public authorities to guard the fundamental rights of citizens and safeguard constitutional democracy. This philosophy was reflected in the classroom teachings ...