Usually, I do not rant on the subject of ‘politics’ in my scribbles, but, as they say, sharing our ideas and opinions makes us feel better, so here it goes. I strongly believe that one can attain better skills in the craft of writing when they become fully aware of the pros and cons of politics within his country.
The sight of many protesters suffering against agitation of Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in the North-East regions, including Assam and Tripura, cast out a spirit in me to jot down some points that had not slipped pass me: thousands of youth barbarically beaten, women violently battered, permanent scars that would be forever marked, and the loss of precious lives that will never be revived. Even if I tried to distract myself, the words bounced back, whispering in the back of my head.
If we look at Articles 19 to 22 (that cover Right to Freedom), it ensures that everyone who is a citizen of India possesses this right. I believe that we, as Indians (mainlanders or tribals), have the right to express our opinions, and wander off to other destinations. Isn’t protest apart of the freedom of movement and raising slogans apart from the freedom of speech? When the police, whom the public relies on mostly for safety and security, exhibit acts of brutal violence against the innocuous youth, do their actions prove that they are serving righteously for their country?
A large group of youth who are organising a protest to demonstrate their disagreement, and exhibiting slogans, are never an egregious action or are not committing an offensive crime. In fact, the action of protest is the freedom bestowed to every Indian. If security personnel would peacefully carry out their responsibility to ensure safety, nobody would have been killed. But, are the higher authorities commanding them to act truculently violent? Do they not value the lives of others? If such inhumane actions blatantly prevail more on regular terms, the outbursts can possibly result in more outrageous violence and atrocity.
The attack on Jamia Milia University was indescribably disgraceful and disgusting, attacking unarmed students who were defenseless. The journalist Bushra Sheikh was brutally abused and harassed when her only purpose was to cover the scenario for BBC. Are they not aware of journalistic ethics, where nobody has any right to harm them? A seventeen-year-old boy named Sam Stafford died after being shot by a bullet while walking beside a group of protesters in Assam. He was studying in the tenth standard, he had dreams to live.
I fear that all the bloodshed flowing from the brave protesters will go in vain. Undesirable conflict is the current situation in India. From the blood they spill, will they revive the lives of the deceased if they were given the ability to raise the dead? We are endowed with the boon of life where we should live to the fullest. Untimely death raised its hands too soon against the youth who fought for their state, their rights and identities.
Keeping religion and culture aside, in these bleak hours, nobody is at peace in their hearts. Parents are deeply worried about their children dwelling out-of-station, a mother is terribly grief-stricken and moaning for the loss of her child, students cannot set foot in their own homes to spend time with their family for winter vacation. Work culture has been massively distracted with the suspension of internet for long durations, and the timings for transportation are being canceled, delayed and rescheduled.
As a writer who is a beginner in the quest of writing, I would like to say that I strongly oppose the bill. Though the ruling party in Mizoram, the Mizo National Front (MNF), stood firm on passing the bill through our respective Member of Parliament, the majority of the population, especially the youth, are entirely against it.
Our young hearts are set ablaze with burning flames. Therefore, whatever will be, we stand beside you. We are all in this together.