There’s no doubt the reckless act by the five youngsters in Parliament is a very serious one. But just as a wise parent goes deeper into why his or her child caused a tantrum, we as a nation need to delve into this episode, especially after realising it was not meant to cause harm or injury to any of our elected representatives.
Why should we do this?
The reason is that once we treat something unusual as a symptom, then we will be able to deal with the disease.
Why, you may ask, do we need to think of this as a symptom?
Because, these youngsters knew they would be caught. There was no escape route once they jumped into the House. They knew they would be apprehended, arrested, charged under a non-bailable act and most probably spend many years in jail.
Which means they were willing to lay down their lives for a cause, and when that happens, we need to examine the cause, instead of brushing it under the carpet and treating it as an act of terror.
A few months ago, we had young girls protesting for weeks and months in the capital. They had exhausted all legal remedies and had finally decided the only way to showcase the sexual atrocities committed against them was to protest in the middle of Delhi.
Again, like these five who jumped into Parliament, those girls were all youngsters.
The powers that be don’t like such protests. They would prefer to go the long-drawn-out legal way.
As a student, something that frequently happened in my childhood were strikes and bandhs.
They were quite disruptive with a lot of stone throwing and shouting and boycotting of classes, but I remember quite clearly that finally the principal would sit with the representatives of these students and work out a settlement which was mutually agreeable. Those principals understood youth!
YSRC MP from Hindupur Gorantla Madhav was among the members in the Lok Sabha who swiftly tackled the intruders. “The thick smoke had a pungent smell,” he said.
I’m sure the House must have been swept clean by now, and air fresheners applied to remove every trace of a stink, but there’s another stink which has been raised, and it’s one that’s going across the nation, and it asks, “What ails the nation?”
Yes, why are farmers giving up lives and livelihood to protest, sportswomen giving up medals and honour, and five youngsters willing to have given up their lives?
Are we listening? Because, if we aren’t we will only see more of such unholy, reckless acts taking place. It’s time the government put aside it’s iron fist, and started giving a listening ear.
Today, that is the single most important duty of our Parliamentarians; to clear the stink…!
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Robert Clements is a newspaper columnist and writes a daily column, which has graced the pages of over 60 newspapers and magazines, from a daily column in the Khaleej Times, Dubai, the Morning Star, London, and in nearly every state in India, from The Statesman in Kolkata, to the Kashmir Times in Kashmir to the Trinity Mirror in Chennai.
Bob, I was moved by your column today on attack on Parliament (seat of power). I believe that it was not an act of aggression but an act of demonstration of frustration which is building up like a simmering pressure cooker on full flame, we don’t know when the whistle will blow. Today’s article reminded me of the book I read sometimes ago “No place to hide” by Glenn Greenwald; exposing the secrets of surveillance by the NSA of America by Edward Snowden, who knew the risk involved, yet he did what he did for the greater good of the privacy of the people of America. I am sure that these five people were aware of the consequences of their actions that the authorities will give them the maximum punishment. I hope as the authorities investigate their reckless act will also look into what led them to frustration, like a good parent.
Yes Lawrence, I hope better sense will prevail!
Thought-provoking.
I’m personally inclined towards the simple concept that is, ‘Prevention is always better than cure’ in all aspects of life.
However, once the disease has occurred, one must find the root cause based on the symptom and finally find a permanent cure to the disease. A simple yet life-changing habit which we fail to implement.
You’re absolutely right!
Yes we need to seriously ponder on the act in the parliament, as we look at it from various angles.How do we move ahead ?
Thanks Shushma, the way ahead is to look at this incident as a symptom and use it to treat the disease.
Indeed thought provoking. But nobody wants to listen. I hope better sense prevails and the problems are considered.
I hope so too Doctor!
Whatever the reasons this act has proved that it isn’t difficult to enter Parliament. How do v know if this wasn’t a rehersal of a more serious incident to follow. So we must plug our loop holes.
Yes Teddy!
Very interesting Bobby and a counsel at the end of the incident you narrated will,if read, pondered over by the powers that be and plans made to solve issues will make our nation a super power instead of the sad state it’s in with despotic politicians playing God.