Pranoid Self

After one year, I went to watch a movie in theatre. To my surprise, I was a little apprehensive. The first thought that came to my mind was of bomb. Second was; am I a paranoid? To my surprise (and relief), I’m not the only one struck by paranoia- we all are. A sense of insecurity has percolated in our psyche and gradually sheathing our life.

The string of bomb blasts that started from Jaipur to Assam has not only shattered people’s peace of mind, but also Indian citizen’s faith in its political system. The dawdling investigation instantly spews out after blasts in New Delhi. The result was Batla Encounter. Shooting at batla took us by surprise and raised doubt in the nature of encounter. Instead of clarifying, police further added to our confusion by announcing a handful of names as masterminds of the blasts.

While we were busy clarifying our doubts, the Christians of Orissa and Kartnataka were crying for their lives. The workers of VHP and Bajrang Dal were committing atrocities on Christians in both the states. They burnt churches, killed and raped. Both these states have governments with a functioning head and state police. But, unlike blast, no names were divulged. No legal action has been taken against VHP and Bajrang Dal. Ironically, in both the states BJP is the ruling party.

The dust of communal violence was puffed up after attack on north Indians by MNS worker. One youth lost his life and many were injured. The arrest of Raj Thackeray was turned into a grandiose saga by media. Bihar reply was ‘eye for an eye’. Agitation in Bihar added fuel to fire. From Nitish Kumar to Lalu Yadav, everyone plunged in to save north Indians. North Indians were attacked before but then elections were not announced.

Icing on the cake was Malegaon attack. Till malegaon attack, terrorism, bomb blast means Pakistan, ISI, muslim fundamentalist. But with malegoan, hindu fundamentalism has been unmasked. When Vice Chancellor of Jamia Milia demanded proof and third party investigation into batla encounter, he was reprimanded and a full page article was written against him. But when BJP offered ticket to one of the accused in malegaon blast, no one seem to be bothered.

Last but not the least is Goa rape case. A minor of german nationality was raped and the main accuse is the son of Goa edu minister. The mother of the victim decides to withdraw the FIR due to harassment by police. Her lawyer was attacked and she is scared for her daughter.

The discrimination and division on the basis of caste, race and region are just strategies of politicians to increase their vote banks. Divide and rule is an old but an effective approach. But its effects are deep and irreversible. Our enemy is not an external agency but our internal political system.