Skip to main content

India, Contradictory by Choice?

As a country that supposedly gained its Independence from non-violent means the hypocrisies that continues in the nation are countless. In fact, the suppression that happens in the country remains vigilantly demarcated and prevails under layers of countless constitutional acts, amendments, laws institutions and finally powerful individuals. The fight for democracy in our country has not received the rightful attention it deserves. The non-ceasing crusade for justice and equality by the numerous human rights activist’s remains muted and cleverly concealed by authority. Fuelled with consumerist culture, the privileged in the country find it hard to imagine the “iron curtain” that is in existence in the country.

As well informed and media savvy individuals of country there are many among us who do not know about Irom Sharmila or the AFSPA. Not a controversial issue as the North –East region of our country has remained for long distant and remote to us. In fact, we “mainland Indians” have no understanding nor do we take interest on the issues of gross human rights violations that happen in the region. The only paradox is that the violations that happen here are due to the abuse of power by the army.

Unlike elsewhere in the country the people of these regions regard the army personnel only with terror and fear. The Army controls the regions with the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). This act confers special powers and legal immunity to army personnel in the North East region. The AFSPA is active in the states of Manipur, Nagaland and other North East States (Disturbed areas) to curb insurgency. The misuse of power by the army in these regions, leads to rapes, assaults, damage to property and most of all provides them an absolute power/control over people. The majority cases go unreported and the horrific crimes keep repeating. An appalling number of innocents have had to lay down their lives due to the human rights violations by the army.

Amidst this violent atmosphere, Irom Chanu Sharmila started her fast to death in November 2002, to repeal the AFSPA in Manipur. Seven years on and her non-violent crusade for justice continues with the same vigor. The grit and determination of this human rights activist that deserves special recognition and support remains anonymous to the majority. Following a path least travelled in a country notorious for violence Irom has proven the dedication to her cause, to her people and her home. She represents the need to imbibe the strength of non-violence to fight injustice. While adjectives do fall short, the grim reality remains that Irom is fighting a lonely battle.

In a nation, that regards “Gandhi” as “Father of the nation” who can explain the absence of honor to a WOMAN who has braved the odds to seek justice. In reality is India democratic. If so why has not the issues of human rights violations been resolved but prolonged with various committees and governments. The lack of accountability on the part of the government as well as the army to the violations and violence has remained a huge blotch with no answers. Unheeded and unnoticed Irom continues fasting for the cause of democracy. Perhaps she is the only individual who still believes in the “spirit of democracy” on which this nation was formed.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Civilized crime of our times................

We the people of this CIVILIZED world live in glass houses…. Within our fragile setup where we merely just look out and see atrocities prevail. We have been so called the products of “progressive” civilizations Yet we loot, we plunder, we kill, we harass, we cheat, we lie We wage wars, we nuke, and we discriminate, And falsify our actions as Glory… I question myself whether we can be branded in any way as “Humane”

iNsPiration......

Phenomenal Woman Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size But when I start to tell them, They think I'm telling lies. I say, It's in the reach of my arms The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. I walk into a room Just as cool as you please, And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees. Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees. I say, It's the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. Men themselves have wondered What they see in me. They try so much But they can't touch My inner mystery. When I try to show them They say they still can't see. I say, It's in the arch of my back, The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal...

My hobby

Hidden by layers of books, Beneath the shelves, Lay a forgotten hobby of mine- As I blow out the dusty cover, Preserved are the strings of joy; Reminding me of a forgotten promise- The promise to pursue this hobby!