Blusters And Blisters

There is a marked difference between expressing general dissent on state policies and deliberate and pre-meditated efforts towards disgracing the nation publicly. As also between being anti-establishment and being anti-national. You can espouse anti-government slogans, lambast corruption, slow economic growth, regressive social policies, even go ballistic on intolerance charge but for heaven's sake how can these 'youth' (most in their late 20's and 30's ) be allowed to chant 'India murdabad' and similar diatribe with media in full attendance and not expect some sort of backlash. If this doesn't call for universal condemnation in the strongest terms I wonder what provocation is required to awaken one's dormant patriotic instincts. I say dormant because most of the educated middle-class and upper-class populace tread on caution and neutral grounds in such matters. We leave the dramatics to the other half which occupies the political centre stage either by holding offices of power or the huge number of wannabes and no-gooders jostling all their lives for five minutes of fame translating into a 5-year stint in politics if they are lucky. They are the ones calling the shots in our democracy by being its visible face. Generally, the sensible reaction is to mostly ignore or generously condone unsavoury public demonstrations which make us uncomfortable. However at times, diplomacy and complacency ought to give way to a more serious and systematic approach to tackling distastefully provocative actions by youthful minds which should ideally be brimming with positive outlook and hopes for the nation. 

Even if the JNU students are given a benefit of the doubt that they do not actually mean or stand by all of their dramatic outbursts that fateful day. Then that in itself is a grievous pathetic commentary on student politics in India; sloganeering for cheap titillation and not any genuine passion for the cause in hand. And is India's pride so cheap and marketable that it can be prostituted by a bunch of buffoons? Did the government overreact by arresting and pressing sedition charges on them? Maybe. Did the students cross the line of tolerance (that dreaded word again)? Most definitely YES! Freedom of speech and expression ( misused blatantly and ever-so-often) is a salient feature of a democracy. But every freedom brings an equal amount of responsibility along with it. Both go in tandem and can only then create a peaceful symphony of a civilised society and a responsible state.  

"Sedition charges are ridiculous", "hot-headed youths treated like terrorists" etc are the baffling responses by the self-anointed saints of India. Equally uncalled for is the right wing's demands to crucify the 'traitors' publicly. Extremely polarised views are being expressed with equal intensity. Quite clearly, the hardliners and liberals are walking a tight-rope in India, battling out the rights and wrongs based on their subjective interpretations and individual preferences. The moot point is that no matter who wins the battle, the idea of India and the spirit enveloping it cannot be compromised. That, my dear friends, is utterly non-negotiable.