Seema Mustafa <http://expressbuzz.com/searchresult/seema-mustafa> First Published : 24 Jun 2010 11:32:00 PM IST Last Updated : 23 Jun 2010 11:53:41 PM IST
In democratic India, it seems that it is now a crime to even think differently. Insecure governments, be it West Bengal or New Delhi, have decided that even ideologues should be jailed for waging war against the state; an extremely serious charge that ensures immediate imprisonment with minimal chances of getting out. The arrest of the three intellectuals …a scientist, a professor and a writer — just because they were present in an area dominated by Maoists has become a major controversy. Those who believe in democratic freedom and rights have held a protest in the state against these arrests, as well as against the manner in which the dead were carried out by security forces after a long battle with alleged Maoists. One is using the word ‘alleged’ as it is not clear whether the battle was with Maoists, or with just the villagers in West Midnapore. There is only the police and state government version of the event and that by no means can be described as free and fair. The dead were carried out strapped to bamboo poles in a manner that denied them dignity in death. Young women and men were brought out like dead prey, in a ghastly reminder of state brutality and insensitivity. The protests have now forced the state authorities, including the police, to agree to order an enquiry but there cannot be an answer as to why the training and the attitude infused in our security apparatus makes it so callous and brutal. No one can condone the violence, be it that of the state or the Maoists. And it is strange that even governments like the Left front in West Bengal have opted for the law and order route instead of dialogue. The latter is more difficult than the former, as it always easy for governments to send in the police and the paramilitary to kill and maim the poor but extremely difficult to negotiate for a path of peace. Everyone knows that the armed confrontation will impact on the poor, and while the Maoist leadership will escape, the poor trapped in the villages will be hit. Of course the security forces will insist that they are Maoists, even though they are not in what will then become a sharper and even more polarised war of words between the two sides. The Maoist problem has been growing over the past 10 years. It has been written about and several warning bells rung by those concerned with the little that government was doing to check the growth. It could have been countered through sustained development of the areas affected, isolation of the Maoist leadership and core cadre, and a reaching out to the people who have never been touched by governance through the long years of independence. But obviously this could not happen as the dirty, corrupt political class was too busy allowing miners and foreign multinationals use of precious Indian land and the natural resources that are being looted under the very nose of the authorities who can only smell ‘Maoists’ but not the powerful robbers and criminal-political gangs who are creating havoc in the interior districts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and other states. So now beleaguered governments which have not been able to deliver, as action will mean acting against the powerful mafias, are not just attacking the Maoists, but the poor villagers and even those who think differently. Ideological understanding of the Maoist movement based on the plight of the poor is read as support by the illiterate ruling classes who have decided to wage a war against all dissenting and questioning opinion. Insofar as documents are concerned, any and everything can be planted by the police in homes. It has been happening since time immemorial, and even a menu written in red will be touted by the authorities as proof of Maoist involvement! The state, which is becoming even more draconian because of its inefficiency, inability and complicity, is unable to act effectively to isolate the Maoists core. It finds it easier to attack its own people, who are now trapped between two violent extremes: the Maoists and the government. Probably if they are asked who they would prefer to be with they would opt for the Maoists, as these cadre are visible, are on the ground, and if there is anything to eat in the homes and if there is any level of security available for the villagers, it is coming from the Maoists and not from the invisible government. Arresting intellectuals is not going to finish the Maoists. In fact it will only add to their support base and their strength. Fence sitters will come out in support, as the anger against state action against ideologues will grow and gather momentum. That has been a lesson of history. But then politicians do not learn from mistakes, they like to commit their own even though in the process democratic polity takes the brunt. Since when has it been a crime in India to support an ideology? The UPA government and the state governments should ponder, and answer this. As the response will have extremely far reaching results, it can only be discussed in another column. Suffice it to say that if this is going to be a yardstick then the jails will be overflowing, as intellectuals rarely think like governments in power. If the intention is to scare and frighten the villagers, the governments again will not succeed. The poor who know they have no recourse will be scared, but only for a while. Hunger and poverty are powerful forces that can kindle anger and unabated violence. Those who do not understand this are those who have their comforts and are not willing or incapable of understanding the trauma of the hungry poor. This crass, unthinking political class supported by the industrialists and the media has no idea that it is sitting now on a powder keg that can explode. And the explosion will cut across the Maoists, and thereby be even more dangerous and volatile in its intensity. If the intention is to scare and frighten the intellectuals, that too will not work. After, at best, a temporary lull, more and more intellectuals will come out of the closet to support their colleagues and their right to free discourse and free thought. When this happens the politicians will be further isolated, and unable to tackle the sweep of reaction across the country. The government must remember that the Maoists are confined only to some areas, but poverty is a nationwide problem. So is the growing awareness among the poor that they are being held back; that opportunities are passing them by, to a point where the frustration and anger can explode. More so, as the political class does not have the credibility any longer to channel the dissent, and is losing its touch with the churning masses. *About the author: Seema Mustafa** is a commentator on political affairs* http://expressbuzz.com/opinion/columnists/govt-curbing-basic-rights/184009.html -- Adv Kamayani Bali Mahabal +919820749204 skype-lawyercumactivist "After a war, the silencing of arms is not enough. Peace means respecting all rights. You can’t respect one of them and violate the others. When a society doesn’t respect the rights of its citizens, it undermines peace and leads it back to war.” -- Maria Julia Hernandez www.otherindia.org www.binayaksen.net www.phm-india.org www.phmovement.org www.ifhhro.org -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "humanrights movement" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/humanrights-movement?hl=en.
