Saturday, December 22, 2012

Citizens At Work



Do protesters make politicians uneasy? Not really. Not yet. Although this time the politicians and police did not dare suggest it was the victim’s fault. They were decidedly uncomfortable because ordinary citizens – both decent men and women were out on the streets in their droves protesting at the assumptions of the rapists – that they would get away with it as so many had done before them; that whatever they did, however violent their actions and however public the place, the police would try not to register the case on some flimsy excuse - that the victim would be blamed for being out late on public transport (or for wearing a salwaar kameez, a saree or jeans) that the police and politicians would try and draw attention away from their crime and make their actions (the poor helpless culprits that they are) the victim’s fault. 

Citizens were incensed at the confidence these rapists had that it would be so.

The rapists did not expect citizens to react quite the way they did. Nor did the politicians and police. At least not so many of them. Their first attempt was to try and quash the droves of protest marchers by gettingthe police to water blast them. Wonder what, about a peaceful protest, that is allowed within the Indian constitution so alarmed them this time?

I think, nip the trend in the bud is what they really want. It isn’t a new trend but the numbers of citizens protesting is growing and that makes them distinctly uncomfortable.

Even if they don't give a whit their hand, for once, is being forced. The pressure isn’t letting up. There have been marches all over the country. The politicians are used to dictating what actions to take, against whom and never mind why. They are used to working the puppet strings and now, to their extreme discomfort, the puppets are banding together and forcing their hand.

Citizens on marches on this scale aren’t what they are used to. It started with those movements against corruption and is now spilling over into movements against rapes. Whatever next? How are they expected to keep their goons happy? How are they expected to show their power is supreme if they are forced to take action by these little upstarts, these nobodies, who belong to their constituencies? Even if the action forced out of them is the mere mouthing of words against rapists, it compromises their position of supreme power.

Previously they believed the aam insaan would quieten down after expending their energies on a march, satisfied for having let off steam; that within no time it would be business as usual with them dictating terms or dispensing favours with little regard for the law as they'd been used to. But this time they tried to nip the peaceful protest marches in the bud by, as mentioned earlier, getting the police to water blast the marchers. These marches are perhaps getting to be too huge to handle. More power to the people. United, they can not only conquer mountains but even politicians.
We understand how little politicians care if we denounce them but let’s do it anyway. They've tried muzzling social media before and it hasn't worked. And so, shame on them.

They will be watching carefully to gauge the mood of their voters. On the face of it, if it means their votes are compromised, they will start giving the cause more lip service. If it compromises the blatancy with which rapists get away with attacks, so be it. They don't want some upstart to win the next elections (in 2014) and gain all that power and state machinery simply because they sided with rapists.

Citizens’ united actions are the most effective way to make our democracy work and to force their hands. If there are any more marches I hope everyone who can, will take active part and social media will give the marches enough of an airing before the fact and after.

Here’s the link again that shows Indian citizens at work.
 
This is what people are saying on twitter. Please click on the picture to enlarge the print. There are a million more tweets on the same topic.


14 comments:

  1. The Government was swift enough to introduce a bill on Foreign Direct Investment for multi brand retail since their PM was under attack by the foreign press for his inaction on the economic front. Several other bills both of financial & non-financial importance were passed during the winter session of the parliament.
    However, the Government is still undecided on the punishment to be meted out to the rapists and appropriate laws to be passed. Our politicians just seem to be paying lip service and shedding crocodile tears on National Television assuring the people that action will be taken. Fortunately for the politicians, their female relatives are not under any threat of molestation or rape since they have police protection 24/7.
    Today, the Delhi Police are attacking peaceful protesters near Raisina Hill with batons, tear gas shells and water canons. The voice of the people will not be stifled. Enough is enough.

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    1. If the government is so concerned about foreign opinion, they'll know for sure that the marches made headlines at the BBC. I can tell people are really angry, Navroze. Hope the government has the sense to listen.

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  2. 2014 is 2 years away. let me see the same ppl get out of their houses and vote where it really counts. THAT is when the govt will listen to u. middle classes are of no importance to the politician bcs we dont vote.

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    1. It is up to us to convince the cynical and the apathetic of the importance of voting. The way they came out in unity and in huge numbers for this issue of rape proves that once convinced, they'll do what is right.

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    2. Also, 2014 is just a year away which reduces the time to convince them to exercise their right to vote, by half.

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  3. Agree with you completely Kay Em only thing is a lot of attitudenal change is also required for all positive changes or reforms in society ---even for correct elections a change in attitude is a must from Indians today ---they should forget about personal benefits and favours and think about the nation as a whole .
    Do read my ---crime against women
    and------what I want to gift my motherland
    missing your presence and feedback
    regards
    rajni

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    1. Apart from getting together with like minded others, a realistic 2 hours a week devoted to a single cause that is close to our hearts would also work wonders. Even persuading the indifferent middle class that it is really worth voting during elections is a cause someone could take on.

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  4. Finally, days after the rape, Manmohan Singh, the Indian Prime Minister said a few words appealing for calm. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/delhi-gang-rape-case-pm-manmohan-singhs-address-to-nation-goes-viral-for-wrong-reason/articleshow/17748573.cms

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  5. Isn't he capable of taking any decision himself? Have to admit Chetan Bhagat said it well. "Madam, madam, sorry madam, maine aise he pooch liya, theek hai? Aage se will stick to the script. Theek hai? Oops sorry, madam... hello? hello?"

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  6. Yesterday, there was no news of the protests on TV channels. The media completely shunned them. Reason? They recieved an ultimatum that the license of their channels will be revoked.
    The story of the constable's death was also fabricated because an eye-witness appeared and told the facts.
    I don't think the politicians and police have learnt anything. They are busy playing games. And they are making it worse for themselves.

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    1. Till last year, Amit, we didn't accept that's all they did. Now we understand and accept that. In a very sad way, we've made progress by understanding what an uphill battle it is going to be. The next stage is for us to accept that without unity and action from citizens a democracy doesn't work. We are the only ones who want to make the system work as it should. They don't.

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  7. I agree Kay Em. We have made progress though it may be little. But at least things are changing. The attitudinal change is still a long shot but the instigators are all there.

    -Jas

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    1. The decent ones always had the right attitude but didn't know how to make it count - by creating the time and energy to unite in action with other like minded people. We'll get there, Jas. Too many victims, including this one, have paid horrific prices for being women in India.

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