I thought of
penning down my thoughts over the same a lot of times, but simply couldn't get
around to it. Thanks to the media, I think I'm still not late to the party.
First off, let's
be clear on the grounds on which these awards are given out. In most cases, the
awards are for excellence in their field of work, say writing. Now, it is to be
noted that these people haven't been philanthropists or social workers. They
are like any other professional who did a good job at whatever they were doing.
They made money out of it. They got fame for it. They did more intellectual
stuff, no qualms there.
Next, I would like
to understand the genesis of the gesture. The popular reason being given is
threat to freedom of expression and growing intolerance. Well, I simply fail to
understand if making mockery of one of the most prestigious award is not
freedom enough, what would qualify? If the right to do so without the fear of
prosecution exists, where is the intolerance?
Now, some would like to play the
religion card here. Well, we are world's largest democracy and a secular one.
We have more number of religions coexisting together than any other country in
the world and statistically speaking, rather peacefully. We have found unique
stability in such mind-bogglingly diversity. We have literally redefined the
word tolerance. We give meaning to the word freedom. Yes, that's us.
Unfortunately,
some notorious elements of media and political vultures like to feed on the
fears of masses. Be it for the TRP or for vote bank. Fear is good for business.
Period.
But being intellectuals that these people are, one would expect these people to
be able to distill the truth from noise. I don't see that happening. They are
only fueling the chaos, with a huge cost to the peace and tranquility of the
nation. No matter how hollow the bat is, if there are enough bats to pound
with, strongest of the things would break. The county, our India, and the
strength of its social fabric being the objects at risk here.
Further, I
understand that there might be political dissent here. Some people or parties
may not be in agreement to the plans and policies of the current government.
They would want to disrupt its working. But then, aren't they the real threat
to democracy here?
How can someone
hold a government, elected by constitutional process, by a majority vote of the
people, be held hostage by a few? Isn't that against the very ethos of our
democracy, our constitution? How can the will of people be spoken for by a few
individuals? How can an elected government be run over by a few disgruntled
people? How can this not be called intolerance?
A true democracy
runs on debates and decorum, not debacles and distortion. Power usurping or
blackmailing in the face of disagreement is a show of weak character.
May the
intellectuals rise to their claimed pedestal and set a good example.
