Some Difficult Questions
I do not hold a brief for Muslims or anyone for that matter, unless (s)he is the ‘right thinking member’ of the society. A friend wrote this mail to me which I am reproducing verbatim. His mail disturbed me because I am still searching for answers and because I share his feelings. How about you?
He says:
I have been watching with great sadness the events unleashed by the MNS in Mumbai. The wanton looting, destruction of life and property, mostly of poor people and the attempt to divide this nation that Raj Thackeray and his gang have been doing. I was amazed at the restraint of the police in handling the rioters and looters. No police firing, no tear gas, nobody shot by plain clothes policemen who then call their bosses and give a count of the number that went down. All of this happened and is available on film and was presented as evidence before the Judicial Commission that was constituted after the Makkah Masjid blast in Hyderabad.
What was amazing is also the complete absence of the T-word. None of the breathless news readers or reporters of any newspaper used the word ‘terror’ to describe the feelings of the people who were the object of attention of Raj Thackeray’s companions. Perhaps all those people were very happy being looted and beaten and not terrorized at all!
Nobody said for example, ‘Terror network unleashes reign of horror’; or ‘Terrorists bring Mumbai to a halt and paralyze all normal life’. I can think of many more such headlines which would have surely been screamed from the rooftops if Mr. Thackeray had been a Muslim. Does this seem as strange to you as it does to me? Or is this normal?
In case you still don’t understand my point, let me illustrate: Imagine the Shahi Imaam in the place of Raj Thackeray and SIMI or any other group of Muslims in the place of his compatriots, doing what these people did so visibly and blatantly in Mumbai and Pune and ask yourself, what the reaction of the media, press and government would have been. Then ask yourself why?
I have a few questions for you and your readers:
1. How many of Raj Thackeray’s followers were or are likely to be ‘encountered’ by the police, do you think?
2. Who will pay to compensate the poor taxi drivers and others who lost their lives and property because the MNS people decided to destroy them?
3. If the government announces compensation, then remember that the money is really coming out of your and my pocket. Why should you and I pay for Mr. Raj Thackeray’s doings?
4. Why is nobody talking of banning the MNS?
5. Why is nobody talking of invoking the Prevention of Terrorism Act of Mr. Modi or something of its kind to deal with this situation?
I suggest you ask these questions to your readers and ask them to reflect and respond.
Fairness may not be fashionable any more, but it is still a fact of life and something that is essential to the maintenance of law and order. I would like to remind you that peace is a derivative and result of justice. Until justice is established any peace is only a recess between wars.
Jai Hind.
Brother Vivek,
When I saw all that footage of violence and subsequent police firing on various news channels,I thought surely a few would have died, keeping in view the trigger happy police achieving good results elsewhere in the recent past. But lo and behold, what do I see — No deaths or even any injuries so far.
Bravo! Mumbai police for your professionalism and handling the situation with restraint. After all the police was dealing with the citizens of this great nation. Only if I could say the same for the Police when it comes to dealing with Muslim protestors.
I can completely empathise with your friend’s mail and salute you for putting it on your blog.
We need more like you.
Syed Adil
Bangalore.
Our nation is at a precipice of sorts. And the power hungry politician or the TRP hungry media can take us far into a valley of insurmountable depths.
Against this, we have us. Our own selves. Who can just walk on. Journey on, despite all such. And perhaps help the country move forward.
Thanks for sharing. And activating a restive mind !
Sir, I think the most important thing is that to be fair is not fashionable anymore, and till someone makes that happen, many of Raj’s type will make it to the top with ease. Am reminded of a proffessor in Harvard who has proven beyond doubt that if a subject like his ( social pshychology ) can be made fashionable anything can, its the quality of ones effort that counts. An article on this proffessor can be found at
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/23/healthscience/22conv.php
Aditya
Here is to a new frienship.
Shall be looking forward to more of your musing and profound thoughts from your restive and to add my bit a ‘sensitive’ mind that cares.
Adil
It is important not to view everything through the prism of ‘muslim victimhood’ although your friend’s letter is disturbing and asks all the questions that we know the answers to but fear to say out aloud. But Raj Thakeray and his ilk represent a much greater threat – they are the dagger at the throat of the country, threatening to pierce the jugular if their own narrow self interest is not served. And the state – guided by the pygimies who parade as our leaders – gives in. Again and again and again. So here is a struggle for power for it’s own sake – not in service of the greater good, or a great vision or an ideal but for nothing more than personal gain. But what to complain – we vote for them after all.
Hashim Tyabji
The only good thing going for us is that we are a democracy . There needs to be intelligent and fearless voting, so that those encouraging governance by terror do not succeed. Just reminds me of the saying in marathi : Vinaasha kale viparit budhdi….
Just wondering whose “vinaasha kaal” and whose “viparita budhdi”……
Syed Ali Jafri commented ” The war planner boasts that he can destroy everything under the enemy territory within five minutes”. Syed Jafri pauses and asks “What of the sixth minute?”.
A great thought to hold.
“What of those beaten up and who have lost their property a couple of days back?” For Mumbaikars, life goes on……
I am overwhelmed by this response, many thanks to Syed Adil, Kavi, Aditya, hashim Tyabji, Ugich Konitari and NS Iyer.
And many thanks to Syed Adil for the ‘new friendship’, I reciprocate the same.
Vivek
Hi! Vivek,
Thanks for reciprocating my offer of friendship.
In the aftermath of several instances of police duplicity in dealing with Hindu acts of terror, it was nice to see extensive coverage by the electronic media today of the ATS implicating Hindu militant organisations being responsible for the bomb blasts in Malegaon and some other places.
In the end, only a visible evidence of even handedness by the various instruments of justice that the govt has at its disposal will help in bringing harmony and peace.
To that extent people like you,I and all the others who care can do our bit in making our voices heard.
Adil
Sir,
In all the arson that has continued, its amazing at the way it has happened in an organised manner – Mulund, Thane and other places have faced the burnt.
How has Raj become the gaurdian of Marathi Manoos- that too overnight, remains a question to ponder ?
Governments respond only to those issues where it can also score a point.Sections of the congress felt the arrest to be too harsh.
Saqi