AntiUnIndian Man on Street Protests

Posted by Ritesh - 31/01/09 at 05:01:31 am

I happen to travel past Vidhan Soudha ( legislative assembly of Karnataka) on my way to work and the route to is dotted with either tourits or protesters. Last week , on the way to office, I had the good fortune to be stuck in the midst of a street protest by the farmers demanding reforms in land laws. While most people on the road were angry because of the blockade, I however, was more than happy to support their cause. Think curse of a democracy crossing the tragedy of the commons and you will know what most other people felt at that place.

Street Protests in India

Street Protests in India (courtesty: jaipalsinghjam on flickr)

But seriously, aren’t we a little too involved with our own lives? When do we take the time to understand what the pains the poor farmer feels ? No matter what others say, farmers are right in blocking traffic and disrupting the lives of hundreds. Its the only way for us to relate the farmer and I fully support their cause. All people who are against this view are UnIndian. Streets were actually built as a place where people can organize themselves and stage protests; traffic was just consequential. You will obviously point out that parks are a good place for these activities, but if we protests happen in public parks then where will my comrades go and bust couples trying to have some alone time. Its one UnIndian activity disrupting another.

Let this be a lesson. We should always support street protesters and encourage them by showing them bigger, more populated streets. Whats our respite ? Well, if there are issues that we face like better protest grounds (roads), drinking water, fuel prices etc, we should head down to the villages and torch a couple of paddy fields or burn some tractors. How else will Equality and Nationalism prevail ?

3 Comments »

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  1. :) … this series looks interesting …

    well to be fair they need attention … else we all die of hunger. Far far too many farmer suicides are happening. They’re not gonna get noticed for protesting in the villages … its not their fault that the power centers are here in the city …

    Comment by Sagar — January 31, 2009 #

  2. Ok, I’m Brazilian but we face the same issue there. I am strongly against such protests. I never thought those were in any way an effective way to raise authorities’ awareness towards someone’s cause.

    To get authorities’ attention you have to hit them where it hurts them more: their pockets. It is more or less like the last strike in the metro I happen to witness in Paris when coming back to Bangalore: Some 20% of the employees stopped their work so that they could organize themselves, and distribute pamphlets explaining their cause to the citizens. But the system didn’t stop, instead, everyone could travel for free!

    On the other hand, if you block the streets, you will do nothing but disrupt many people’s lives and create animosity against your cause. So what the farmers could do instead? Not pay the taxes could be a start. Voting for different candidates in the next election is another.

    In the meantime, these protests would probably be more effective if they were to block only the access to Vidhan Soudha while explaining to the citizens passing by what their cause is about.

    Comment by Ricardo — February 2, 2009 #

  3. The post should SCREAM sarcasm. else, there is a chance of people mistaking it as your point of view.

    Comment by prateeksha — February 16, 2009 #

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