Ours is a strange society or is it only the politicians who can resort to any means to achieve their ends, I often wonder how can suicides be eulogised and venerated when it is a criminal offence . I am aware I will be branded insensitive upper caste bigot who doesn\’t understand the psyche of the dalits. Be that as it may even the so called sympathisers of their cause are all \’to the manor born \’ themselves so the reason for their flocking around at such junctures is akin to vultures on the caracass. Pardon me as it may sound offensive but in reality that is exactly how it appears .
Deaths are tragic, suicides more so, a young promising life snuffed out whatever may be the reasons, it is sad and the need of the hour is to provide succour to the family and friends and not to politicise the issue . For a moment leave aside our political leanings aside and think dispassionately will this politicking help any one specially from the immediate family . Obviously no, they will be forgotten the moment media latches on to something else which will earn them their TRPs. Deja vu haven\’t we seen it all , enacted a thousand times.
So is media the culprit more specifically the electronic media or the politicians or are we to blame for allowing them to take us for a ride . I am sure we are all more than adequately informed of the facts of the case though in some cases these would be distorted and twisted to suit their respective interests . Could the university administration have taken a more benign and lenient view of the transgressions by these students can be debated ad nauseum . Whether these activities actually were transgressions or not should be left to the university authorities but prey aren\’t these institutions government funded . They are and the scholarships fellowships are all being provided by the government . Within such an institution should we permit a student body to openly espouse the cause of a terrorist who had been convicted by our own highest judicial body . Well we all are free to express our views but not when we are dependent on the largesse of the government itself . When we decide to take on the authorities then we ought to be prepared to face the consequences .
Imagine for a minute you are working for one of the same media houses which are blowing these issues up and you go against the stated policies of the organisation , do you think they will spare you , you will be sacked then and there .
While there may be merits in Late Mr Rohit\’s arguments but to take the extreme step of committing suicide can not be condoned .
I am not sure if such acts are treated with kid gloves any where else in the world . Yes we are different as a people and consequently our societal values too are not akin to liberal democracies of the world. Narrow minded caste driven voting patterns have systematically destroyed our democracy . I know very many of you will cringe at this statement of mine . But search your hearts and be honest to yourself and then look around our elected representatives very many of whom will not qualify for a peon\’s job in our own government what to talk of corporate . I am not so sure if Rohit belonged to one of the so called upper caste there would have been any reaction whatsoever . I believe that angle is also being investigated to establish the veracity of his dalit credentials.
I am digressing we were talking about our society which brings me to a very interesting observation , we have a tradition of \”paryushan\” amongst the Jain community where their elderly and saints voluntarily give up food and water intake and gradually pass away . In the ancient times we had the \”sati\” and \”johar\” both of which were essentially suicides . None of these acts bore any stigma instead they were hailed as courageous and sacrificial thus bestowing a moral ascendancy on such acts . I am not debating the merits or demerits of these acts but merely trying to study the impact of our psyche on our reactions in today\’s environment .
Euthanasia is still anathema committing or abetting suicides is also a crime , do we need to introspect and address the root cause or wait on for another Rohit or even the beleaguered farmers who have had to resort to this extreme measure due to extreme penury or the apathy of the government officials .