Dear BK:
>It is a very
strong note - very scathing of the netters. I would not like to
indulge myself in such a game; I would just deal with the salient
points - solutions if you really want it.
**** Yes, you are right about the stridency of my note. But it is
applicable only where the shoe fits :-).
But I stand by my comments, validated by its accuracy as
demonstrated by Ram and seconded by Pranjal.
Ram makes some totally untenable arguments here, which I hope to
address another time. Pranjal I will pass on. He is in the 'hoy dioyk'
mode and is obviously without a clue.
Now about your comments:
*** First my call was not for game playing. I was entirely
serious about all our befuddled peers who keep on moaning about these
Bondhos and what causes them to happen, but are decidedly unwilling,
and even against, as Ram declares,to delve into their causes, their
meanings and possible ways to eradicate them.
Doesn't the antipathy towards understanding the issue seem
rather strange to you? I mean why would anyone not want to
know?
>I am avoiding
scholarly semantics.
**** I always appreciate that. I am no scholar, just a
homegrown observer with curiosity. And thus can appreciate the plain
talk more than the scholarly discourses.
>Strike is a
legitimate form of protest in democracy.
**** Yes indeed, within reason, within the bounds of labor laws,
with limitations. That must not be overlooked. You don't go about
calling a strike at every real or perceived grievance. A strike never
is a tool of first resort--it is of the last, only when other modes
of prescribed grievance/conflict resolution processes fail. This
is the first clue for those interested in understanding causes and
remedies.
But I am quite aware of the fact that the Bondhos are a different
animal, unique to India. I don't think the desi-complainers know that
too well--at least it is not discernible from the comments in this
forum. Bondhos are an offshoot, a mutant but for wider spread form of
the 'gherao' I think, which, if I am not mistaken, has its genesis in
Kolkata. But regardless, both are Indian of origin
and unique to India.
>The shops and
Government offices at Guwahati remain closed and communication by road
and rail affected, I think, in >anticipation of scuffles and
violence.
**** Important point. Another clue to the befuddled
here.
>The Municipal
authority and the Government have all the powers they need to control
these strikes.
**** This is a very simplistic conclusion. So why don't they go
about enforcing the laws? Because they will get the day off? I cannot
imagine you would be one of us who subscribes to such a theory
:-).
But your answer, if correct :-), will give us another
clue.
>It is a matter
of law and order. The Conservative Government in Britain practically
immobilised the trade unions by harsh >laws.
**** You did not comment on it. What do you think of the law? Is
it fair? Or is it an abridgement of democratic rights? If it is not ,
could it be challenged for constitutionality in the House of Lords? I
realize UK has no 'constitution'. So how do the Lords deliberate on
whether such laws and edicts are in keeping with the essence of the
Magna Carta or whatever else might be the scales to weigh them. And if
it is fair, constitutional, WHY do you believe so?
Your answer will give our friends yet ANOTHER clue.
>He escaped punishment because the law cannot be applied retrospectively. Is not that interesting!
**** I think it is a fairly universal concept--that laws cannot
or should not be applied or enforced retroactively. It would be
grossly unfair and unacceptable to do otherwise. But having said that,
here too there are exceptions. There are instances of laws made to be
applicable retroactively in unique situations, at least in the USA. I
can't give you an example off the top of my head, but if there is any
lawyer ( other than yourself :-)) among us, she/he might be able to
help us out.
Thanks for taking on the challenge BK :-). You made some fine
contributions here. Of course there are more issues to the Bondhos.
Perhaps those that are not intimidated or are not politically
disinclined to touch the subject would raise the other issues.
What you did not delve into are possible antidotes to the causes.
Maybe we will
look into them too, if there is interest.
Regards,
c
At 10:27 AM -0400 9/5/05, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
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Chandan
It is a very strong note - very scathing of the netters. I do not know how the rest of our netters react to it. I would not like to indulge myself in such a game; I would just deal with the salient points - solutions if you really want it.
This bondh is a strike, a demonstration of sort. I am avoiding scholarly semantics. Strike is a legitimate form of protest in democracy. The Assam bondh is not unique in the world. In the streets of Paris, France, it is possible to see strikers in procession with flags and slogans practically every day. However, unlike Guwahati, normal life seems to continue, the roads carrying pedestrians and vehicles, the pavement cafes delightfully occupied, the shops busy with customers and so on. Nevertheless these are strikes or bondhs. The shops and Government offices at Guwahati remain closed and communication by road and rail affected, I think, in anticipation of scuffles and violence.
The Municipal authority and the Government have all the powers they need to control these strikes. It is a matter of law and order. The Conservative Government in Britain practically immobilised the trade unions by harsh laws. Demonstration of any kind within the city has to be approved by the Municipality or the Corporation. By a very recent legislation demonstration near the Parliament palace in UK was completely banned. The Act made an exception in the case of a man who continues to demonstrate in an adjacent square against the involvement of the UK Government in war with Iraq. He escaped punishment because the law cannot be applied retrospectively. Is not that interesting!
Regards
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