By
Col. R. Hariharan
A few
questions come to my mind on the way things were handled in the gang rape
episode which has shaken the nation as no other crime has done:
1. What was so special about this crime that roused the nation?
2. Have the government
and the Congress party learnt anything from the messy way they handled it?
(This applies to other political parties as well, though what they thought did
not really affect the public protest.)
Anna Hazare's movement should have shown the shape of public protests to come in the national capital now onwards. These protestors are not rural guys following Khap panchayat instructions to assemble at Ramlila Maidan and watch silently the political circus on the stage enacted by politicians and applaud them on cue.
These
are younger people who feel for what is happening to them and refuse to accept
it. They will act not on political party's cues or agendas because they are
setting their own agenda. They are socially-networked and are not dependent
upon media publicity so important for political gatherings, though the gruesome
crime itself spontaneously gave them media coverage. They are not going to
meekly accept political rhetoric repeated periodically by leaders. Instead,
they want action; and they are not going to wait forever like the ruling class
revelling in status quo. They want action now.
Instead
of assessing and understanding the emerging scene, the Congress and government
leadership appears to be moving from self-made crisis to crisis like headless
chicken.
Why did not Soniaji or MMS or anyone who takes decisions (is there anyone?) for or in the government work out a genuine plan of action that would defuse the public anger rather than saving their own skin for such contingencies?
Is it
callousness? Or is it sheer inability to analyse and take decisions? Or is it
sab chalta hai attitude? Or is it because they have lost touch with the public?
I suppose it is a combination of all these things that enabled them to start
believing their own rhetoric spelled out for public consumption.
In the
case in point, even if law and order considerations were the reason for keeping
the public off the loop about the cremation, why did not they take the family
into confidence? Even while avoiding public participation in the funeral the
whole thing could have been done with more dignity than the type of mess it has
left behind. The poor girl did not deserve it.
How
sincere was the talk of Soniaji or MMS after the death of the girl? It was
patently lacking sensitivity and probably read out from the screen. Why can't
they speak what is in their mind? I thought Sonia's talk on the same
subject in parliament had more vigour and sincerity than one she made; it was
too little too late. MMS made a better speech on FDI than on this critical
moment because probably he believed his own words on FDI, more sincerely.
A few
more questions come to mind regarding the funeral of the victim in secrecy. It
could be an administrative decision for security reasons; but can't it be done
with more finesse? What do Soniaji and MMS achieve by conveying condolences in
all the secrecy when the body arrived? Does it convince anyone as a sincere
one? Did the family want all this shroud of secrecy? Will someone in power
clarify?
Lastly,
why does not the government nominate someone who can communicate with the
public with skill, instead of delivering appallingly worded, insensitive,
re-circulated pedestrian spiel by wooden-faced ministers with the body language
and delivery of a marionette? We have seen even Musharraf or Zardari doing a
better job.
I have
not understood minister after minister talking about the "brave girl"
who is a victim of gross negligence of their own responsibility to govern and
be accountable to the people. And they say not a word that in future they would
be more responsible. The lack of such statements to make an impact the
situation is visible: even as they keep talking their words of wisdom, victims
are piling up every day and public is restive.
Even
my blood of vintage-1936 boils at the way the shoddiness of governance. Why
blame the young people? They are facing the brunt of it every day. It is a
great tribute to the youth of Delhi that they maintained their cool. In many
other countries they would have set fire to everything they saw on their way.
Had
someone responsible spoken to the protestors, sat with them and heard and
shared their ideas, things would not have come to this pass. But the sad thing
is, I see no one in the political horizon who can do this? And that goes for
the opposition parties too.
Initially,
even when Sonia and MMS made their belated statements, they could have started
their talk with the simple words: I AM SORRY. I APOLOGISE FOR THE LAPSES. This
is nothing extraordinary. Other leaders have done it. Do they have the moral
courage which Japanese and Korean leaders in government have shown when their
government or party had failed the public?
As New
Delhi is in shambles now after the outpouring of public protests, the Congress
party and the government would do well to do what every soldier does after
every operation - small or big: carry out an after action analysis. Find out
what was done wrongly and rightly, set right the wrong and reinforce the right
things (were there any?).
I am
sure the bureaucracy, largely patterned by the British, also must be having
some form of post mortem (the term itself is self defeating) after such
fiascos. Or, are they congratulating each other now for escaping by the skin of
the teeth?
In
another 30 days we will be mourning
Gandhiji. I am sure his faith in the people has been redeemed not by our Netas
but by the youth. They are showing the way to guys like me who had seen Gandhi
when he was alive but lost him as we lived.
Written
on December 31, 2012 Courtesy:
South Asia Analysis Group Paper No 5345 dated January 2, 2013 http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/node/1111
2 comments:
The media always show rape scenes in every other movie. Men who see these scenes will be tempted to do the same. Didn't the people of India know these scenes will induce someone to do unwanted sexual act? or forced sex? or un willful sex? The people of India and the censor board allowed these scenes and enjoyed some gal's suffering in big scenes. So many gals were raped. Now suddenly every one is arousing on this matter. I am glad at least people have come into conscience. If any one want this kind of act should be stopped, then they have to stop showing these scenes in movies and other media.
Ref Proud Man's comments.
I share your concern in visual media excesses and demeaning portrayal of women in almost all TV soaps and movies. I think a public campaign must be launched.
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