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Section 377: A retrograde decision

Posted by ABC Friday, 20 December 2013 1 comments

The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the 2009 Delhi High Court verdict that decriminalised gay sex is regressive and has dealt a severe blow to liberal values and human rights. Such display of circumspection in its jurisprudence by the apex court has only reinforced the stigma associated with homosexuality. In the name of societal morality and decency, personal liberty has been made a scapegoat here. It is disheartening to see one group of individuals being discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation. Section 377 was brought in 150 years ago in consonance with the patriarchal family set-up. Lawmakers then termed any form of sexual activity beyond the man-woman relationship as ‘unnatural’ and saw it as a worthless pursuit of pleasure that only results in the wastage of god given energy meant exclusively for the creation of progeny. What they failed to observe was the fact that sexual orientation is not something that a person acquires wilfully. It is something that he or she gets by birth or through interaction with the society. Homosexuality is, therefore, an exclusively private preference.

Even after several years of protests by the activist groups and progressive intellectuals, Section 377 – which punishes ‘carnal intercourse against the order of nature’ – is now back in force and hangs over the heads of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT). The honourable Court has stepped in wherever the judiciary has failed and has not hesitated to uphold the constitutionally enumerated fundamental rights to life and to equality. Why should it then not shy away from correcting a centuries-old law and an obsolete, regressive mind-set that offend against basic rights and human dignity?

The Court’s decision can have serious repercussions for the LGBT community. Harassment and the stigma associated with homosexuality may not only lead to social alienation of the LGBT community but may also lead to severe health consequences, particularly in the fight against AIDS. It is therefore the prerogative of the legislature to provide legal and constitutional protection to the LGBT community in this ever-evolving society.

As a purportedly progressive and modern society, we must not lag behind in upholding the rights of the LGBT community. The need of the hour is to dismantle the obsolete notions and initiate measures that enable all sections of society enjoy a dignified life. At the same time, young people should not be lured into practising this aberration as a fashion statement. Aberration should be prevented from becoming convention.

Devyani Khobragade Episode

Posted by ABC 0 comments

Through its international invasions in various forms, including cyber warfare and mass surveillance, drone attacks and regime change, the Unites States of America (USA) has set a bad precedent for the world even as it avers support for strengthening international rules and institutions. Ironically, superpowers that clamour for fair and rule-based order for international peace and security have themselves been caught on several occasions using international law against others and even re-interpreting multilateral rules to further their political and economic interests. The arrest, strip-search, cavity-search and handcuffing of a New York based Indian woman diplomat, Ms Devyani Khobragade on December 12, 2013 for allegedly underpaying a domestic help she had brought with her from India and fudging her visa forms, epitomise the unilateralist approach of USA to international relations.

Ms Khobragade, even under her limited consular immunity, was entitled to be treated with dignity. Unfortunately, the inhuman and barbaric treatment meted out to her is not only discriminatory against India’s citizens settled abroad but also calls for a rethinking of India’s policy of turning the other cheek instead of taking decisive action. Perhaps the indifference shown by the Indian government in similar incidents in the past involving eminent citizens like Mr. George Fernandes, former President APJ Abdul Kalam, Ambassador Meera Shankar and celebrities like Shah Rukh khan and Amir Khan has resulted in hostilities and indignities being showered upon Indians abroad. Our lackadaisical approach towards such humiliations and our failure to take a strict stand in retaliation has made our bureaucrats vulnerable to detention on false pretexts and made the ‘soft’ foreign policy of India a subject of ridicule. Even after several accounts of humiliation, we boast of our ‘high status’ and ‘self-importance’ in the world which is nothing but a mirage. However harsh it may be but the reality is that the western nations look to India for only the best of what we have to offer in terms of technical and intellectual expertise in various fields and unrestricted markets for their products.

Ms Khobragade enjoyed only limited immunity under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. But this convention guarantees freedom from detention until trial and conviction except for ‘grave offences’. The offence in the case in point was a wage dispute between a diplomat and her domestic help! This prejudice in interpretation of the convention has reiterated the fact that rule makers are seldom rule takers.

The need of the hour is to take strict diplomatic action against the perpetrators of this humiliation. Let the superpowers realise that they cannot circumvent the international law to their advantage. Instead of giving a political colour to this episode, the Indian lawmakers should take steps to strengthen India’s foreign policies and practices that are practical and not based on some imagined or exaggerated sense of self-importance. At the same time, it must be ensured that the ties between India and the rest of the world are not severed.

When passions desperately needed cooling : Part II

Posted by ABC Monday, 4 February 2013 0 comments

When passions desperately needed cooling : Part I

“Today, when we have elected a person of their clan, we have been denied our voice in the political system. We have been betrayed. We have been stripped off our rights. Our hearts and souls have been plundered. We have been disempowered.

Tell me my dear citizens, should we let the course of our lives be decided by a handful of people behind closed doors who are neither accountable to us nor loyal to our community?”

The leader took a pause again, this time to wipe off the sweat that had accumulated on his forehead.

The crowd started responding with even more violent cheers. The hatemonger had, after all, stirred up the emotions. He continued in a stern tone,

“My dear citizens, we are being trampled upon by people who have arbitrary power over our lives. We have been confined to powerlessness and poverty. The time has come to question these unresponsive and unaccountable decision–makers. The time has come for us to rise and give them a befitting reply for all the miseries that they have inflicted upon us.”

What had started as an enlightening speech was now turning out to be a hate speech and this leader who had disguised himself as an activist to stand up for the cause of the society had now unveiled his true face – the face of a hatemonger. The aam aadmi who were referred to repeatedly by the leader in his bitter diatribe, were left trembling with horror and bemusement. The highly inflammatory and provocative words that had been showered upon them triggered violent and uncontrolled emotions to wreak havoc.

A few perverted minds teamed up with anti-social elements and took to arson and rioting. A crowd that had been celebrating togetherness a short while ago had suddenly turned into a lynch mob. The hatemonger had caused a tremendous upheaval in the society. The social networking sites were soon flooded with derogatory remarks and inciting texts. It was then the turn of cyber criminals to display their skills. In a short span of time, a video that showed beheading of people of a community went viral on the web and a SMS threat was circulated through a portal with an intention to trigger a mass exodus of people of the community of the ruling party, lest they face dire consequences. There were widespread protests across the region leading to massive loss of innocent lives and property. Everywhere angry mobs could be seen carrying fire and swords and butchering anyone who seemed hostile to them. The region that had been a model of communal harmony had now turned into a cauldron of hate.

At this critical juncture when such intense emotions desperately needed cooling, the administration offered to facilitate the exodus by offering special trains to take the terrified crowds ‘home’ rather than reasoning with them to stay back. Neither was the hatemonger arrested for the commotion he caused, nor could the flames of hatred be doused. Indeed, the entire region burnt in the furnace of hate.

So quick we are today to get swayed away by distorted facts presented to us and take laws into our own hands that we almost do not even take a moment to pause and ascertain these facts. Irresponsible and swift actions taken in the aftermath of such incidents have always yielded catastrophic results. The need of the hour is to identify all such malicious forces that intend to spread hatred and disintegrate our nation along ethnic lines. It is necessary to bring all such hatemongers to book who aspire to spread communal disharmony and award them stringent punishment. Let us be more vigilant and summon our wisdom before reacting to any irrelevant views and opinions doled out by some unscrupulous self-created moral guardians of our society. Let us be more cautious before taking any action and be aware of the repercussions the same might have in future.

JAI HIND

When passions desperately needed cooling : Part I

Posted by ABC 0 comments

The Indian society is characterised by an environment that sustains conflicting and competing views, where the differences are resolved through the medium of reasoned debate and prudence prevails before a decision is reached. However, such dialogue is not possible if some intolerant groups try to silence differing views through outrage or some malicious forces try to create unrest by appealing to the sentiments of innocent citizens. In either case, a slight provocation causes the emotions to manifest themselves in the form of vehement protests which lead to disastrous consequences – from straining the social fabric of the nation to widening the chasm between different communities.

This is a fictitious story that brings out how communal passions were aroused to add fuel to the fire at a time when they desperately need cooling. The story attempts to unfold the causes that led to the exodus of a community and turned another marginalised community into a lynch mob after a hatemonger managed to finagle the mike at a political conclave and spilled venom on the masses through his hate speech.

13 July 2012: It was a hot sunny afternoon. A large crowd had gathered in the Ramlila Maidan in the scorching heat to catch a glimpse of their cherished leader. The stage was adorned with garlands, posters and flags of the political party. The entire ground echoed with the chorus of slogans raised by the people in respect of their leader. Each and every individual present there could be seen cheering and fluttering the flag with a great sense of pride and enthusiasm. As the electrician continued to examine the audio amplifier system, speaking hello…mike check…hello… to decimate the cacophony, the leader along with other members of his political party arrived in his helicopter. A team of security officers rushed to escort the VIPs, gesticulating wildly at each other and barking orders into their hand-held phones. The entire ground was covered by a blanket of dust. As the leader stepped out of his helicopter, he was greeted warmly with sweets and garlands by his supporters. In a few minutes, the VIPs occupied their respective positions on stage and the leader waved his hands passionately at his legion of supporters, indicating them to initiate the ‘extravaganza’.

After a brief round of discussion on various political and social issues came the much awaited moment – when the leader had to deliver his speech, The King’s Speech.

“Hum na jaati phechaante hai na dharma, hum keval hindustan phechaante hai (I have no other religion than being an Indian!)”, the leader proclaimed with great pride. A spirit of patriotism descended on the crowd that had gathered in the ground. Following this, he conveyed his gratitude for the hospitality shown to him and then expressed his ‘deep’ and ‘genuine’ concern for the plight of aam aadmi whom he felt, was being victimised and butchered at the hands of the demon of corruption, inflation et cetera. But then, his ‘wise’ words came as a bolt from the blue.

“My dear citizens, lend me your years”, he roared in a highly commanding voice. The crowd clapped rapturously and the entire ground started vibrating with cheers.

“I feel”, he asserted, “Equality in India has become synonymous to appeasing the elite at the cost of the interests of the marginalised sections of the society. I take this opportunity to remind you that our community was liberated not by arms, but by unleashing the voice of our people. They [referring to the community of the party in power] fought with weapons, but we fought with non-violence and voice. It was because of the efforts of none other but ours that the communities could come closer to each other and sort out the differences”.

He took a pause to wipe off the saliva that had oozed out of his throat to his lips with his handkerchief.

Continue reading : When passions desperately needed cooling : Part II

Scum of the Earth : Part II

Posted by ABC Sunday, 20 January 2013 2 comments

Scum of the Earth : Part I

Posted by ABC 2 comments

Peering at the world through a straw : Part II

Posted by ABC Tuesday, 8 January 2013 0 comments

Peering at the world through a straw : Part I

It was 3:00 in the afternoon when he reached his destination, a large auditorium where an exhibition was being organised. ‘Different Strokes’ was the name of the event, a cogent and powerful caption for an event organised for the exhibition of paintings of artists from all over the nation. A number of painters, media-persons and admirers, some claiming to have a deep insight into the psyche of painters, had thronged the event. Guffaws and applause reverberated in the auditorium as the guests admired the art work of various talented painters. While some found a reflection of their life in the paintings, many others failed to draw a parallel between the portrait and the present or past, for that matter. The centre of attraction of the event was the portrait of an impoverished, emaciated child who had been snapped in the memory of the painter and carved out on the canvass. The painting depicted the perils of poverty on the society and the poor child was perhaps a torch bearer of a similar agenda to curb this menace.

“I feel apologetic for the insult to his dignity”, an admirer, who looked more like a social activist, lamented.

“His dreams seem to have been vandalised”, a media-person exclaimed with remorse.

“The administration is responsible for his pathetic condition and the destruction of his desires”, a fellow painter, who had perhaps entered the winter of his life, asserted. It seems that even at that age, he supported the obsolete notion of holding the authority responsible for all good and bad, just by casting a vote in its favour.

As human pain oozed out of the portrait of the physically and emotionally shattered child, handkerchief, once again became a constant companion.

The gentleman who had rebuked the peddler on his way felt ashamed of himself as he took out a handkerchief out of his pocket to wipe of the tears that had expelled out of his liquid eyes.

Sardonically, one may take pride in spending a huge sum on purchasing a portrait depicting a poor, malnourished child but hesitate to quench the thirst or satisfy the hunger of the same when needed.

Indeed, it is high time we change the lens, we view the dark edge of the world with. The need of the hour is to stop peering at the world with a straw. In this mad race of competing with the world in terms of technological and economic power, we have failed to take cognisance of those who have failed to catapult themselves to this level. Poverty is both a social and political malaise. Technological advancement and economic prosperity are the brighter aspects of our achievements. But the other side of the coin represents and excruciatingly painful truth that we are still struggling to bridge the divide between the haves and the have-nots. We still have a long way to go. Let us lend our hands to those who have failed to accommodate and align themselves with our idea of development.

*The idea of this story is not to promote begging. This is merely a reminder of what we have actually achieved in the name of poverty alleviation and spending extravagantly on a painting that depicts poverty instead of helping the poor is only an example of how we end up accusing others for this menace rather than making a contribution at our end.

Unfolding Thoughts

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Section 377: A retrograde decision

Devyani Khobragade Episode

When passions desperately needed cooling : Part II

When passions desperately needed cooling : Part I

Scum of the Earth : Part II

Scum of the Earth : Part I

Peering at the world through a straw : Part II

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