DIVIDED WE STAND

Painting a pessimistic picture is easy. But after the incidents that have occurred in the past two days it is difficult not to do so. Blasts ripped across Assam. A migrant labourer got lynched in a Mumbai train. Anyone who saw visuals of his one year old kid would have to be moved by the plight that surrounds that family

It is strange that in a span of two days two incidents that highlight the threats we face, have occurred. The fact that we r increasingly under attack from the outside is known. The blasts that took place in Assam is another feather in the cap of our central government’s fight against terror. I don’t see any fault with scores of people coming out and indulging in violence to protest the inability of the government to provide them with safety. The government for all its gains made sorely loses out when it comes to providing security for life

It is times like this when we all should be covering each other back and present a united front. What is even more worrying is that the terror now seems coming more from the inside than from the inside.

It is disgusting to see politicians try and play one up-manship such a situation. The statements coming from both sides make it virtually a battle pitting Maharashtra against Bihar. Erstwhile foes Lalu and Nitish come forward to take up the Bihari cause. I see no harm in them doing it but not at the risk of causing a conflict that divides the nation. Every statement that comes out of their camp further alienates the Bihari /’bhaiyya’ population living here.

I don’t see Raj Thackeray any different; he is majorly responsible for the current mess. The fact is that the local population does connect with what he says. It is not mindless rhetoric that he espouses. He has tapped into the Marathi sentiment very wisely, causing an intelligent divide to serve his own needs. What furthers his cause is the irresponsible statement that the politicians on the other side of the divide. Don’t they see that they r just playing into his hands, making him stronger furthering the divide.

These politicians don’t lose anything. It the one year old who lost. Who is responsible for her having to lead her life the way she will. The 50 dead in Assam lost. Their families are the ones who lost. How many lives shattered. More importantly, it is I who lost in the bargain. And everyday this continues I continue to lose. The idea of my India being divided this way disgusts me. We were not meant to go further like this were we? Was this that what we the freedom fighters laid their lives for. For their own kind to be oppressed again.

Then again maybe this is the time we stand up again and be counted. As I said to paint a pessimistic picture maybe easy but rising above to change what is happening maybe the real deal. Difficult it might be, not impossible; if all of us make sure our voices are heard again. Hopefully things will change and change for better. I can’t see my country being taken apart this way.