by Prof. V P Srivastava
After the
bus gang-rape of Delhi, questions are raised: when crime is being committed,
why do the people look the other way? People’s sensitivity is questioned. Massacre of eleven innocent people in
Manipur, unquestioned by the government shook the conscience of a young lady,
who goes on a self-sacrificing, non-violent fast against the law that justifies
this brutality. What is expected of a person with a conscience? ....Probably ,
we need to learn to kill our conscience to be a law-abiding citizen! The Indian
state is forcing with guns generations after generations in Manipur to learn to
kill any sensitivity any humanity within.
Supreme
Court responding to Hegde’s committee’s report on fake encounters in Manipur
observed,‘ This is not the best way to integrate(north-east) people. It is the
best way to alienate them.’ I wonder how many years it takes the BEST WAY to
achieve its objective of ALIENATION completely. Has not the BEST WAY already
achieve its objective in more than half century of persecution?
Irom
Sharmila, the rarest of the rare species of human being that she belongs, possesses
empathy for every human being and the Himalayan courage to take upon a
life-time struggle to undo the wrong. In her poems, ‘to spread the fragrance of
peace for future generations, she wishes her mortal remains to turn into ores
of mines’---a living Gold Mine of Highest Human Values being herself! Full of
humility, in another poem, she seeks support, ‘My hands be given to you, Greet
me Please’. I cannot forgive myself for her personal suffering, and the state-caused
miseries around, being a beneficiary of the system. We have looked upon mythological
(not historical) Bheeshma among the tallest for taking the most difficult pledge
(not to marry for peace in the royal family). And Lo! Here, there is a real
human being in flesh and blood transcending basic human needs and senses of
taste for the cause of Peace and Justice.
Many of
Delhi University students were known to me, having met them on Nov. 6, 2012
Solidarity fast at Rajghat. I was particularly pained to find almost all
students belonging to Manipur only. But I had myself come to know about her
visit only through the morning newspaper that day. During the waiting hours, on
the road-side meeting at Manipur House, the deep-rooted feeling of being
discriminated and the anger against draconian AFSPA dominated the discussion.
It was important to share with them the exploiting character of the state, and
helplessness of the poor, even in non-border states from Kalingnagar in Orissa
in the East to curfew conditions at Jaitapur in Maharashtra in the West;
people’s struggle for their water-rights in Uttarakhand to fishermen’s struggle
at Kundankulam in South; and the unlawful long detentions of the tribals in
Central India irrespective of race, religion or region. (It was satisfying to
read an appeal recently to the judiciary by eminent citizens led by Justice V.R.Krishna
Iyer to look into the unlawful detention
of the people in Central India. It was unfortunately to be soon followed by the
news of killing of political leaders in Chattisgarh.)
Shall we
look at the greatness of the common people with greater respect! Meira Paibi
and Naga Mothers were given the highest Social Impact Award by Times of India
this year for their work on anti-alcoholism and peace. Not only awards, their
work (similar works elsewhere too) need be replicated at all-India level if the
people’s welfare is to be the objective. Shall we not hope and work for a shift
in political power (and policies) in the hands of such people’s groups, to the
legacy of which Sharmila belongs! Gandhiji in a speech says, "Indeed, the test
of orderliness in a country is not the number of millionaires it owns, but the
absence of starvation among its masses.”
There
cannot be greater evidence of helplessness and suffocation of judiciary than
the Supreme Court making observation on Manipur conditions saying,” We can’t
tell how sorrowful we are. What is the use of our sitting here?” Then look
Justice Varma’s Committee, while making suggestions to strengthen anti-rape
laws used the opportunity to recommend not to allow the immunity of AFSPA for
rape. The recommendations of Justice Jeewan Reddy for repealing AFSPA is not
being honoured. Justice Hegde’s committee exposes government’s crime on the
people in Demo(n)cratic way! This brings us to the clear conclusion that in a
democratic society if the state imposes such emeregency laws (like AFSPA)in any
part of the country, beyond a stipulated period( six months or one year) then
it automatically qualifies for judicial monitoring of law and order on six-monthly
basis for its continuance, not to make a mockery of democracy.
The
captivity of Sharmila for more than twelve years on charges of ‘attempt to
suicide’ is another mockery of law. Her’s is a penance of the highest kind for
peace and justice. In twelve years, there are twelve hundred ways of committing
‘suicide’, if that was at all the objective. Only a hypocrite would accuse her
guilty of the crime. When attempted or suspected starvation could be averted by
a mandatory visit to a government doctor every day, why she is deprived of
civil liberties to the extent of not even allowed to meet the family??
Politicians can be very small people, not worthy of recognising the Greatness
of Sharmila, but not the Highest Judiciary?
Manipur
House displays posters of Olympians proclaiming them, ‘Pride of Manipur’. That
day, in the energetic and enthusiastic
discussion of those promising students with Sharmila, all I could add,
‘Sharmila, you are Pride of India, an Inspiration to Youth.’ To me a pilgrimage
to Manipur remains my cherished agenda.
Prof. V P Srivastava taught in the Department of Mathematics at Delhi University. He can be reached at vp.srivastava@rediffmail.com
Prof. V P Srivastava taught in the Department of Mathematics at Delhi University. He can be reached at vp.srivastava@rediffmail.com
