Our history exists to that we can learn lessons and avoid mistakes that impede our progress, a mark of human civilisation. Although idealistic in viewpoint, the truth is that without mistakes of our past we would never enjoy the fruits of development. We have discovered penicillin, and prolonged life; we have fought dictatorial regime and learned the beauty of democracy, and we have discovered technology and enjoy the benefits of globalization. Yes, we are in the process of enjoying homogeneity while maintaining our identity, writing history to be able to live in a developed India. What we do today will affect our future. This is why every Indian wakes up in the morning and goes to work. Our history has taught us that for India to survive we have to believe in the inclusiveness of our diversity.
Up until now I have carelessly been enjoying the beauty of living in a democratic nation. Taking my freedom of expression for granted. I have enjoyed the privileges of being a minority with the security of expressing my independence. I have grown believing that religion was my relationship with God and nobody had the right to dictate otherwise. My diet was the least of my concerns. I alleged that if I wanted to eat I could eat anything, as long as it was not endangered. I have grown believing that poverty, education, child labor, women empowerment and corruption were the challenges we faced to reach our goal of ‘acche din’.
Alongside my voting rights, is my right to criticize every move and decision of my elected, lest they forget that I as a citizen of this democratic country have the decisive power to cast my vote. I intend to use this right and push it further for change, lest I keep silent and forfeit my democracy. The shocking death of a Muslim man, Mr Akhlaq, lynched by a mob on the suspicion that he and his family were involved in the slaughtering and eating of a cow, and increase of similar occurrences, raises questions. Questions that cannot be side-lined with vagueness, for history teaches us lessons that we cannot ignore. The word lynching for example, has its etymology rooted deep in a history of atrocities and injustice.
In the 1800s, when an enslaved African American would disobey the rules laid down by an Anglo-Saxon master, they were punished. Amongst these, was a white man, William Lynch, who had earned a reputation for the techniques used to control the blacks. His technique was outside the purview of law and brutal. Men, women and children would be rounded up so that they would witness the carefully orchestrated brutality. People were burnt alive, or torn apart so that the remaining slaves would learn to fear their masters. His motto was simple. Keep the slaves physically strong but psychologically weak and dependent on their slave master. Not before long lynching caught on and white men lynched colored men for financial gain and to establish political and economic control.
What war are we fighting? By banning beef in many of the states across India we are in fact trying to ascertain supremacy of one group of people over the other. Does our democracy allow for this? Who decides the banning of killing of cows? How do we judge if eating beef is good or bad? Who decides the moral rules of a democratic nation?
When the present ruling party came to power last year, their manifesto was supposed to be ‘acche din’. A manifesto to eradicate poverty, to improve health facilities, to impart education, to empower women and get rid of corruption. Instead, efforts are being furthered to protect the cow from slaughter and local consumption. Critics say tougher anti-beef laws discriminate against Muslims, Christians and lower-caste Hindus who rely on the cheap meat for protein. What seems audacious and suspicious however, is that the slaughter of cows and sale of beef is not prohibited for exports? The matter is not so much about religious sentiments than it is about creating a class divide.
What do we read between these conflicting messages? What is the true mandate of the ruling government? Upon analysis it is but obvious that attention is being diverted. There is an unwritten manifesto that seems to take preference. Controlling the poorer sections of the society by keeping them busy with primitive conflicts (with the help of Hindu vigilante), the government is bypassing the real roots of progress of this nation - A classic strategy of dictatorial regime. Similar patterns were seen before dictators went to war. Creating divide gives better control and power. The rich get richer and the poor, poorer. The question that arises is can we ignore these signs which history has taught us and let our democracy be at stake. Any kind of hostilities at this juncture will impede the progress of this nation.
Dr Aldina Braganza e Gomes is a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and associate professor, HOD, Dept of Psychology Carmel College
