--- On Sat, 2/7/09, marlon menezes <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> Most individuals who have seen the video of the assault of
> the helpless woman would instinctively want immediate
> retribution, as is so obvious in Roland's synaptic
> response as well. This is obvious. Unlike him, I believe
> that Indian society is mature enough to deal with such
> transgressions. It will not happen right away, but it will
> happen. We must let justice take its course rather than feed
> the fires of communalism.
----------------------------------------
Sorry Marlon but you are showing acute naivete both in terms of human behaviour
and history. First of all, anyone who saw the video of the hapless women does
not want immediate retribution. What any society would want is immediate action
by the law. We already know these people have been released. How often does
this happen in India? This is a land without accountability and a corrupt
polity. What justice are you waiting for, to take its course? The victims of
Gujarat too are still waiting for justice to take its course. Yet, as we know,
Narenda Modi has managed to reign supreme in Gujarat.
Secondly, nothing happens "in time" just because the larger majority is benign.
I have to draw a parallel here with the Civil Rights Movement of America. If
the African-American had not fought for his rights, he would still be living in
a segregated society, deprived of his right to vote. The reason why a handful
of individuals in an otherwise benevolent society can create havoc, is
precisely because the larger majority is indifferent and unresponsive.
And lastly human nature is such that ultimately we, as a society, begin to
absolve our indifference by convincing ourselves that the "others" however
tangentially, were responsible for their fate. As for battling our own demons
by all means, let us do that. Let us bring about change from within, let us
engage in dialogue and reform, but let's not compare apples with oranges.
It is extremely important our "intellectuals" realise the extent of what is
happening in India. Far too often on this forum and other medium, I have seen
our "intellectuals" living abroad, castigate our own community rather than
acquainting themselves with what is going on in India. The only support the
minorities in India can rely on at this point, is the media in India. Thank God
for the media.
Selma
