As we approach another Republic Day, mouthing platitudes about our strong & vibrant democracy, it is depressing to be reminded of the depths our polity has actually plunged to. This latest realization is courtesy two news items in the Indian Express of 24th Jan09, which hit me right in the morning.
The first was about a sweetshop owner in Thane, who has been threatened by the goons of MNS to change the 60 year old shop’s name from “Karachi Sweets”, objecting to the use of a Pakistani city’s name. It would be really hilarious, had it not been so terrifyingly true.
More than the outlandish threat, the unfortunate part is the alacrity with which the owners have gone ahead and already renamed their shop as Jai Shree Krishna Sweets. Is it not shameful that the all-powerful state can not guarantee protection to an innocent person against a madman or two and their bunch of thugs? Surely, a glowing tribute to the Fundamental Rights enshrined in our constitution!
This is neither the first nor an isolated incident, we all know. This outfit (and others of its clan) have been working at it for quite some time now – playing with emotions of vulnerable people, and dividing & pitting them against each other by raking up non-existent issues, in process consolidating their own goonda power.
I really do not understand why the government of the day hesitates to take strict action against such a vulgar mockery of the rule of law.
The second relates to the queen of megalomaniacs Mayawati.
I am given to understand vide a report that a whopping 90% of the UP’s culture budget of this year has been spent on making sculptures, most of them of Madam Mayawati herself.
Notwithstanding all the talk of her being the symbol of Dalit empowerment, does no body of her followers see through this act and realize that this is just part-narcissism, part-get-filthy-rich obsession? How can she fleece her own people of their hard-earned money on these monstrosities which do nothing except feed her own ego? Another Imelda Marcos in the making, is she?
But I remain hopeful. Surely, वो सुबह कभी तो आएगी! Happy Republic Day!!
4 comments:
I sometimes wonder if we should, as enlightened citizens, be doing something about all this? And then the most common and selfish thought prevents me from taking my angst any further...
What good is our education and enlightened view doing us, if not making us cowards? Showing us only the dangers of life and making us wary of everything, removing every speck of courage that nature gave us?
I know I have taken a tanget to your view but what a futile effort we educated people make, knowing well we can never beat these people. At least we will never have the courage that their raw minds have. We are apologetic at our achievements, shy to celebrate our talents, look for solid proof before advertising our awards.. and these guys need no reason to propogate themselves and their agendas.
THE WEAKNESS IS IN US, HAS ALWAYS BEEN!
I beg to disgree with aargee, as Mr. Anonymous have rightly pointed out We INDIANS are basically escapist and love to run away from our own responsibilities and duties. We think that change should come from vertex of the pyramid rather than other way round. But anyways, we can hope against the hope and pray to our beloved 'Bharatmata' for letting good sense prevail on our self-centered politicians. Bharat Mata ki Jai :)
Dears Anonymous and Yashu.
Yes, the change should start with us, you are right. You are also correct in poiting out that our rationalism and fear prevents us from coming out actively on streets with a raw (as you said it)courage, not afraid to take panga with whoever.
But the point I am trying to make is this. There is a big class of people who are elected and / or paid by us to take care of some very basic things - constitutional rights being one of them.
Why is it that even after 6 decades of independence, we need to indulge in activism to make them do what they are supposed to do in the first place.
It is because of their inactivity that such lumpen elements can roam around freely, exerting their might and misguided zeal on poor, innocent souls.
Personal interests and motives lead the poli;ticians do this and same personel interest and motives make us not to do anything(their personal interest being power,money,political issues and etc,our personal interest being its not hapened with me,phate mein tang kyo adaoon,why risk your and your family)
Hope things change but let us change first and then expect others to change.
Post a Comment