Wanted: People who have the spine to confront hate-mongers – Economic Times

I got up with a terrible backache this morning. I could barely stand.

Something was horribly wrong. My shoulders slumped and refused to straighten up. My head resisted when I tried to hold it high. Since I am one of those crazies who regularly speaks to various body parts, I decided to start with the uncooperative spine. Whats wrong with you, spine? Come onbehave yourself. I hate stooping!

The spine snarled, You are lucky you still have a spine And the spine was right. I still have a spine. But am I using it? I look around me, and I am shocked to see millions of co-citizens managing without one. My possessing a spine suddenly seemed like a huge divine blessing! But what use is this spine of mine, if I cannot employ its services to the fullest? Why am I sitting here in Mumbai, moaning and groaning about aches and pains, when thousands of fellow citizens in Delhi are being torched and targeted? A mosque was burned in Ashok Nagar. Where was my spine when BJP MLA Abhay Verma led a march in Laxmi Nagar, east Delhi and said, Police ke hatyaaron ko, goli maaro saalon ko? When BJP MP Parvesh Verma was quoted in an interview saying, These people will enter your houses rape your sisters and daughters, kill them, did I forget I possessed a spine?

Muslim families in droves are packing up their belongings, their children, and fleeing to their hometowns. Grief-stricken family members are organising burials of loved ones. Bodies are being fished out of drains and gutters. Despite these atrocities and in the absence of police, the people of Yamuna Vihar used their spines to stand by one another, regardless of religious differences. They formed a human chain to protect school-going kids. The Dalit community in Seelampur blocked routes and prevented rioters from entering their locality. Had their spines let them down there might have been another horrific bloodbath. At last count, 38 citizens had been killed and over 200 injured in northeast Delhi which saw the worst outbreak of communal violence since 1984. Some called it a reprise of the Gujarat Model, referring to Godhra 2002. Shivers went down millions of spines, hearing those chilling, ominous words.

Not too far away from the carnage, a lavish presidential banquet was being enjoyed by a visiting American president and his entourage. As good hosts, our humble President and his gracious wife had organised a modest dinner for the dignitaries thats Indian hospitality, citizens were told. We have to look after our mehmaan. We did so very nicely, going by the extravagance of the evening a menu that boasted of delicacies the average citizen can only fantasise over, when s/he is not worrying about his next meal. Raan alishan in rogani gravy anyone? No? Cannot swallow? What a wonderful world, was played while the VVIPs dined in splendour. It was followed by We are the world, and Wonderful tonight minus any irony. How come? Because most of the posh invitees in the room had left their spines and self-respect at home.

After all, bade bade shahron mein you know the rest. Riots happen. People die. Homes get burnt. Children are orphaned. The police look the other way, or actively encourage aggressors to go ahead and do what they are paid for by their political bosses. No worries. Once the damage is done, a flag march can be organised. And Ajit Doval is always ready to assure weeping, traumatised victims that his government is there to ensure safety of innocents. Again, zero irony. Nothing will happen, he stated. No sir, nothing will happen. Because what had to happen, had already happened! Mr Doval and his spine are his business. But for those of us whose spines still exist at least on paper it is about time we put them to good use. That moment is now. If we back off at this critical stage bow and scrape and crawl and beg our spines will be systematically broken, leading to collective paralysis across India. No point going for expensive spinal surgery later. These impacted/compromised discs are surgery-proof! Thank god, at least a few spines are chorusing, Stand up and be counted!

At least we know one person with a sturdy spine and thats Justice Muralidhar. The learned judge was issued transfer orders within hours of him blasting the Delhi Police for their poor response to the rioting (not their fault at all the obedient top cops had to flank Ajit Doval as he toured Jaffrabad). As normalcy (such as it exists) gets restored to the capital, an urgent national spine audit is required. Lets give this top priority before we become a nation of spineless, gutless pawns, murderously exploited by ruthless netas just to keep one political party in power at whatever the cost! My spine just gave me a high five. Do check yours!

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

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Wanted: People who have the spine to confront hate-mongers - Economic Times