I have often wondered about the significance of Independence Day that we Indians celebrate on August 15. The National Flag is hoisted and there is sense of pride that is pervasive across India amongst every Indian (that is what we like to believe). Yes, it is a matter of pride to achieve freedom after 200 years from a foreign power! Perhaps it was a day of graduation for Indians; from second class citizens to just plain citizens of India. The ruling government at the centre was for the people, of the people, and by the people. Democracy was to be the foundation of free India. India was to be a progressive nation characterized by equality of status for every Indian. My question to the reader is, “As an individual, do we feel equal?”
The incidents of recent past have made me ruminate and question the very essence of Independence that we Indians take for granted. Be it the incident of Raj Thakrey pandering to the difference of race and sect, or be it the questionable decision in favor of reservation for the OBC at various educational institutes. All this has been happening with the acquiescence of the common man (or woman) and unfortunately as Indians, we have become impervious to such incidents. We will seethe in anger but will remain reticent. If at all, there will be a smattering of protest that will eventually die down due to the lack of leadership. Such a tepid response to issues of National significance will have an insidious and long lasting effect! It is this fatalist attitude that has contributed towards fermenting many issues that will have virulent repercussions in times to come.
No incident has captured the attention of whole of India as the issue of reservation of 27% seats for the OBC. The opponents to the system (including me) have called it “Death of merit” and the proponents of the system have called it “Fair and just”. At this point I will not delve into the merits of the system as it should be a totally different article that should be presented after proper research. However, my question is whether such decisions are creating a divide in the society? My personal observation is that it will have an adverse impact on the concept that is the foundation of India; Unity in diversity. The smattering of egregious incidents (as a reaction to reservation) that the media has not reported in National interest is the presage that we should take a note of. The resentment amongst those who lost out (General Category) and the cracks in our society is real and palpable. The presage should be clear enough for the politicians to abstain from promulgating the proposal of reservations for SC/ST/OBC in the professional world. Not only will it be a social disaster, but also an economic disaster. In 60+ years of independence, successive governments have failed to create the much required infrastructure in the education sector and now the UPA has sought to atone for that inaction by adopting short cut methods that are to the detriment of one section of the society. Rest assured the next government at the centre will indulge in one-upmanship and implement reservation in jobs.
The incident involving Raj Thakrey highlights that our politicians have taken a few lessons from history. They seem to have adopted the strategy popularized by the British; Divide and Rule. The concept that Maharashtrians are ethnic Mumbaikars and North Indians and Biharis are the dregs of their society seems to be a perfect strategy to promulgate a struggling political party. However, the proponents should remember that the Divide and Rule strategy adopted by the British created a Pakistan. The need of the hour was strong condemnation of Raj Thakrey and his goons by the central government and the Supreme Court. In some of the Middle Eastern countries, prosecution by handing out a death sentence would not have been far fetched. Sadly, in India, far from prosecution, Mr. Thakrey seems to be basking in glory and walking around with his head held high for what he seems to have achieved; market his party. Does he care about the virulent repercussions of his statements in the short and the long run? I don’t think so! Will at least the Mumbaikars (so called ethnic Mumbaikars and others) condemn the acts in the best possible way by uniting and voting out Mr. Thakrey and his likes? I surely hope so! That will perhaps reflect backbone (or the lack of it) of the Indian society.
A look back at the British rule and we will find that despite all the fallacies, they attempted to take the Indian society forward. Their efforts in abolishing the Sati system and child marriage, support of education for girls, implementing railway system, etc would be some of the examples. Juxtapose that with the recent reservations based on caste, lack of progress in the education sector, ruling by a court in favor of Sati system, etc, and the contrast will be clear; Indian society is in a rewind mode.
To conclude, let us introspect and honestly answer a question, “Has the Indian Society progressed from what it was as of August 15, 1947?” In my opinion, our rulers have pressed the rewind button. I just hope that someone will find the remote and press the STOP button and maybe even press the fast forward button!
The incidents of recent past have made me ruminate and question the very essence of Independence that we Indians take for granted. Be it the incident of Raj Thakrey pandering to the difference of race and sect, or be it the questionable decision in favor of reservation for the OBC at various educational institutes. All this has been happening with the acquiescence of the common man (or woman) and unfortunately as Indians, we have become impervious to such incidents. We will seethe in anger but will remain reticent. If at all, there will be a smattering of protest that will eventually die down due to the lack of leadership. Such a tepid response to issues of National significance will have an insidious and long lasting effect! It is this fatalist attitude that has contributed towards fermenting many issues that will have virulent repercussions in times to come.
No incident has captured the attention of whole of India as the issue of reservation of 27% seats for the OBC. The opponents to the system (including me) have called it “Death of merit” and the proponents of the system have called it “Fair and just”. At this point I will not delve into the merits of the system as it should be a totally different article that should be presented after proper research. However, my question is whether such decisions are creating a divide in the society? My personal observation is that it will have an adverse impact on the concept that is the foundation of India; Unity in diversity. The smattering of egregious incidents (as a reaction to reservation) that the media has not reported in National interest is the presage that we should take a note of. The resentment amongst those who lost out (General Category) and the cracks in our society is real and palpable. The presage should be clear enough for the politicians to abstain from promulgating the proposal of reservations for SC/ST/OBC in the professional world. Not only will it be a social disaster, but also an economic disaster. In 60+ years of independence, successive governments have failed to create the much required infrastructure in the education sector and now the UPA has sought to atone for that inaction by adopting short cut methods that are to the detriment of one section of the society. Rest assured the next government at the centre will indulge in one-upmanship and implement reservation in jobs.
The incident involving Raj Thakrey highlights that our politicians have taken a few lessons from history. They seem to have adopted the strategy popularized by the British; Divide and Rule. The concept that Maharashtrians are ethnic Mumbaikars and North Indians and Biharis are the dregs of their society seems to be a perfect strategy to promulgate a struggling political party. However, the proponents should remember that the Divide and Rule strategy adopted by the British created a Pakistan. The need of the hour was strong condemnation of Raj Thakrey and his goons by the central government and the Supreme Court. In some of the Middle Eastern countries, prosecution by handing out a death sentence would not have been far fetched. Sadly, in India, far from prosecution, Mr. Thakrey seems to be basking in glory and walking around with his head held high for what he seems to have achieved; market his party. Does he care about the virulent repercussions of his statements in the short and the long run? I don’t think so! Will at least the Mumbaikars (so called ethnic Mumbaikars and others) condemn the acts in the best possible way by uniting and voting out Mr. Thakrey and his likes? I surely hope so! That will perhaps reflect backbone (or the lack of it) of the Indian society.
A look back at the British rule and we will find that despite all the fallacies, they attempted to take the Indian society forward. Their efforts in abolishing the Sati system and child marriage, support of education for girls, implementing railway system, etc would be some of the examples. Juxtapose that with the recent reservations based on caste, lack of progress in the education sector, ruling by a court in favor of Sati system, etc, and the contrast will be clear; Indian society is in a rewind mode.
To conclude, let us introspect and honestly answer a question, “Has the Indian Society progressed from what it was as of August 15, 1947?” In my opinion, our rulers have pressed the rewind button. I just hope that someone will find the remote and press the STOP button and maybe even press the fast forward button!
Jai Hind!
