Gujjar protests and the view of Supreme Court

How do you feel about the arson and destruction wrought on hapless city and its residents by the so called protestors? True, being a citizen of India we have been bestowed the right to disagree and protest where we feel we are being wronged. But that does not give the citizens a licence to protest in a shameful manner and bring destruction to the public property. After all, by targetting the public property we (the protestors) are only adding to their own miseries. Added to that is the dichotomy of the government. The government by virtue of its mandate has full powers at its command to disburse the violent mob. But caught between the politcal opportunism to appease their vote bank and to prevent the damage to public property, perhaps the government considers it best to give preference to the former and shed crocodile at the latter. Thus, in view of the myopic vision that our leaders have, the country is bound to suffer a lot.

It is in this context that the Supreme Court has taken a lead in the right direction by ordering imposition of penalty on the protestors. But it is hoped that imposing token penalty will not be resorted to. Rather it should be of the magnitude that will act as a deterrent for the future potential arsonists that they think hundred times before they take recourse to such a step. It has also raised a pointed finger on the lackadaisical attitude of the state governments who had given these protestors a free licence to roam and take the city/ state to ransom while these so called custodians of law enforcement turned a blind eye to their actions.

It is in this context that the role of civil society has assumed importance. At times I feel tempted as to why the ordinary citizens keep mum to all these nuisances. If analysed, the law abiding citizens far outnumber these arsonists. But what is that thing that drives these minority (arsonists) to carry out their acts with impunity. On mulling over this issue a thought crossed my mind that perhaps the leader(s) of this minority group have a very clear priority and a killer instinct to achieve his objective of keeping himself in limelight so that they earn their bread and butter. And for this they can go to any extent. But the silent majority is perhaps unable or unwilling to see the damage that is caused to them. The politicians (whether in power or opposition), as they are, driven by short term gains prefer to turn a blind eye to the misdeeds and in fact become a hand in glove of these perpetrators.

Hence now is the time for the silent majority to wake up and make up and see that the government takes cognisance of these issues and tackle them in an effective manner.

- Sudesh Negi