There are laws, but no order in India today. Everyday reports of rapes, murders, lynching are found in newspapers. While the perpetrators of these crimes are hardly being punished, law-abiding citizens are spending sleepless nights worrying about their uncertain future. Some fears about the future of their girl child. Some fear about the future of their livelihoods for belonging to a certain section of the society while others fear for their lives and properties as they are not sure what’s in store next. All in all, even after nearly seven decades of adopting Democracy, India has failed to ensure justice to all irrespective of caste, creed and religion. All parameters in this regard are showing a dangerous upward trend towards destruction. Dalits are being tortured. Minorities are being attacked. Yet, our leaders are repeating themselves like tutored-parrots that ‘All is well’.
There is enough evidence to prove that nothing is going as per the law in the country. Take the recent example of lynching of two people in Uttar Pradesh. They were beaten to death on allegations of being involved in cow slaughter during Id festivities. Even before it was proved whether the allegations were true or false, the judgement was delivered. Two poor people belonging to minority community had to join the list of casualty who lost their lives in the hands of so called cow-protectors. A similar incident happened in Jharkhand too. In that State, six people were assaulted by an unruly mob for transporting cows. On the other hand, our record on women safety during the last couple of years is dismal to say the least. Every day from the length and breadth of the country, incidents of rape are being reported with unfailing regularity. Atrocities on Dalits are also on the rise. These days Dalits are not allowed to go in a procession for marriage ceremonies. In Gujarat, a Dalit youth was killed for riding on a horse. There are numerous instances to prove that nothing is going according to the claims of our leaders.
Some see a definite design to polarise the society behind all such incidents. While it can’t be stated with certainty that they are wrong, one thing which is certain is the fact that majority of Indian people still believe in pluralism. Thus efforts to polarise the society will never be fulfilled. But definitely it will weaken Indian society which over the years has been strengthened by adopting pluralism. This is exactly the message which former President Pranab Mukherjee has recently delivered, Mr. Mukherjee on that occasion emphasised that intolerance has no place in Indian society. Actually the perpetrators of such crimes are earning a bad name for their religion, country and society. India is a land of spirituality, brotherhood and togetherness. India is a confluence of various civilisations and culture. A handful of people will never be able destroy the social fabric of this great country. But to some extent they may be able to take the shine away for the time being. Should we allow them to do so?
