The incidents of shouting down anti-mining voices during the public hearing by the Justice Shah Commission has to be condemned. Someone's right to livelihood from mining cannot undermine another's right to life. Truth cannot be established by hired mobs. The very fact that a public hearing had to be disrupted by a pro-mining lobby only goes to prove that there exists a gross violation that cannot be proved otherwise before a judicial system. If livelihood is everything then the scavenger, prostitute and the pimp also have a right to practice their profession. If livelihood irrespective of violation of someone else's right is what justice is all about, then the matka bookie and contract killer are also right in practicising their illegal profession. If legalising an illegal activity is the solution to the negative impact of mining then legalisng prostitution, matka and contract killers is also justified. If mobs (majority rule) are going to determine 'Truth' then God save India.
