We live in weird times, hooligans demand democratic rights and peaceful protest means to destroy public property. This irony isn't what is shocking, it is the middle-class approval to wanton acts of violence. They proclaim when we are in a struggle such acts happen. Sounds like specious argument made by Rajiv Gandhi on Sikh Roits.
They compare our T-struggle to protest in Tahrir square. People who maintained peace in the face of death, people who volunteered to clean the square because it was their country and that is what they do. I hope the power of web is not strong enough that they hear about how this inspired revolution is unfolding. I am sure they would be ashamed for inspiring such people.
Planned destruction is attributed to police excesses. People carried ropes, sickles, knives, kerosene and hammers for a peaceful protest. Students of our premier institute find no better way to vent their frustration that burn buses, throw stones and intimidate the police and public with dire consequence. If these are educated men who are going to blaze T-land in the sphere of development. I wish my people well.
Interesting times indeed.
The leader of our struggle can't seem to complete a sentence without threatening, humiliating or provoking his enemies. I wonder if that is what T-culture ? Where you want to spit in the mouth of people, rip them apart and threaten to beat them to pulp. His speeches sound like a script given to an out-law in a B-Grade film.
An elected representative was attacked on the floor of the house. Physically abused for having a different opinion. Khabardaar! they roared. There is silent approval and appreciation for this in the T-middle class and there is approval in the educated elite. Looking at this I wonder, how we are any different from Pakistan where the murderers of liberal leaders are hailed as heroes? How are we different from extremist elements which offer no room for disagreement, which end any dual with muscle power. I also wonder the example we are setting for our kids.
Countries and regions formed on hatred and divisiveness have not been able to contain that spiral and are today failed states. Pakistan and Bangladesh may be good examples. Countries who fought for principle and for peace have prospered. India and South Africa are case in point. I hope T-ites know their history.
I feel sad and ashamed. I wish I could be proud some part of it, any part of it. Alas! wishes they are.
Such out-laws and people who can't control their emotions don't deserve democracy, separate state comes next. We should demand them to behave before anything else, for the whole country is watching, for our kids are watching.
If there is a separate state so be it. If we get a land of our own, we will work on it. But this violence and intimidation in the name of revolution is not done.
PS: I am from the T-region and agnostic on the issue.
1 comments:
I don't know much about T-issue so cannot comment but coming from the youngest state of India (born 10 years back), I only know that a separate state is not the solution, only willing leadership is (case: Bihar). With guys like these at the helm, I doubt it will be fairy tale even after getting the state.
On a different note, I've come to believe (through observations) that the sign of an intellectual is that he feels distanced from his own community because he has seen them from so close. You are one of the few who blend intellect with activism and I can only hope there are more like you.
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