- Indian political, social, cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and religious landscapes undergo constant changes keeping in line with the narration on display. Not for nothing it is mentioned that Indian society is increasingly becoming polarized where communal undercurrents are quite apparent leading to disturbances. The political leadership is always on the lookout to fish in troubled waters, and the polarization on communal grounds provides a fertile ground for the purpose. And we know how India is renowned for festivities of different hues around the year further providing the political parties even more opportunities to whip up communal frenzy. Unfortunately, there are enough people who fall for the bait leading to disturbing law and order situations.
PC: Bhupendra Rana
- As you know, it’s become a familiar pattern now when public celebrations of Ram Navami are accompanied by the outbreak of violence in some states. As reported, Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Gujarat witnessed violence during the celebrations. Of course, police and other arms of the state administrations tried to keep a lid on the situation by using prohibitory orders and internet shutdowns. While these tools disrupt normal life, the fallout doesn’t end there sowing seeds of mistrust in public life. The costs keep piling up long after other events take over the headlines. We know religious processions are an important dimension of India’s public life. They also are a vehicle often cynically used to foment trouble.
- However, given the importance of processions in public life, any solution to this problem must be tailored around limiting the possibility that some elements can use it as a cover to create trouble. The most important catalyst for violence is whether processions respect police presence. For instance, the trouble in Bengal was following the procession breaching the police cordon in Howrah. Also, there are instances of participants coming armed. That’s wholly unacceptable. Note that one reason why police are sometimes reluctant to crack down on processions violating pre-arranged routes is mixed political signaling. This is asking for trouble in a tense atmosphere. Needless to say, it boils down to unambiguous law and order messaging.
PC: IANS Photo
- As mentioned above, political parties wish to create a frenzy where an opportunity exists to consolidate vote banks. And with key assembly elections lined up in a crucial year, public events that can cause trouble must be especially carefully monitored. Indeed, the state governments must do whatever it takes to keep them peaceful. There’s no case to be made that there’s unrestricted freedom of choice in choosing procession routes. Mind you, the violence of the kind witnessed in recent times temporarily abridged the freedom of all people in the area. Any religious processions must be regulated far more tightly by giving the police clear directions. In the absence of the same, anti-social elements aided by political patronage will create havoc in society.
