Hooliganism in the name of activism

I have been a BJP voter for as long as I can remember, but the so called activism by right wing off shoots of the “hindutva” parties has left me hanging my head in shame. Whether it is the hooliganism perpetrated by the Sri Ram Sene in Mangalore on Saturday, the vandalization of churches in Bangalore by members of the same group earlier or the bullying tactics of the MNS in Maharashtra in 5 star hotels or the Mumbai University – these acts are beyond condemnation. I strongly suggest that these people should be hospitalized and checked for psychiatric / schizophrenic symptoms – that is the only thing that can condone such ridiculously violent behavior. Maybe these guys have been molested in their youth, denied basic human rights for their behavior to become inhuman and animalistic – I think I am being impolite to the animals as they also indulge in violence only to fill their stomachs – these guys seem to be indulging in violence to satiate some other base instinct which only psychiatric help might divulge.

No amount of justification or explanation can justify such wanton acts of depraved violence in the name of protecting Hinduism. Hinduism definitely does not propagate violence against women – in fact the woman is respected as a mother – someone who gives life. I wonder what the mothers of such mentally deranged lunatics have to say about their progeny now. I am sure their heads would also be hanging in shame over the acts of their children. Our culture, right since ancient times has been pluralistic – all one needs to do is go to the various temples all over the country and look at the sculptures. I really won’t be surprised if this bunch of lunatics goes and vandalizes our ancient heritage.

The Government of the day sits silent and watches impotently while these acts take place. What kind of news channels do we have which encourage such behavior by going live with such acts. “Breaking News” is something which each news channel wants to portray and they go to any lengths to telecast depraved acts. In the media war, eyeballs and TRP ratings have become the be all and end all of news telecasting – ethics while telecasting has been thrown out of the window.

The acts of the MNS should be viewed criminally as these are becoming too frequent, perhaps emboldened by the complete inaction of the state government. Unfortunately in India, dirty politics wins any day over public interest! These guys had gone undercover after 26/11 and have now started coming out of their holes to show their muscle. Their muscle during the attacks had become flab perhaps showing their true nature – that of cowards!

These people can only act as mobs – as mob mentality prevails – giving them in their opinion the anonymity to get away with violent acts. Ask any of these jerks to come alone if they have the guts and try doing what they have done – I am sure they will be thrashed by the public and trashed into the nearest municipal dustbin.

I strongly suggest that if any more such attacks take place, the public should get together, then and there and teach these guys a lesson which they will never forget. It is fear psychosis which drives these people – if you do not show fear – you take away their biggest weapon thus exposing them as impotent morons which in reality they actually are! The moment the element of fear is taken out of the equation – the public will win. All they have to do is get hold of one character and thrash him – believe me the rest of the goondas will run because they are used to dishing it out and cannot take it in the same coin. Let me narrate an incident which took place about twenty five years ago while I was going to the Bhandup guest house of the BMC with my uncle who was always at loggerheads with the Shiv Sena. While on the way a group of these goons probably got to know that my uncle would be going to the guesthouse – so they had blocked the road and were shouting slogans against my uncle, threatening violence with hockey sticks and bamboos. The driver of the vehicle got scared and started reversing when my uncle told him to stop the car. After the car stopped, my uncle got out of the car and advanced towards this bunch of trouble makers and shouted in Marathi “if anybody has the guts let him come forward and try and touch me”. His voice resonated and echoed in those sylvan surroundings, perhaps scaring the goons so much that they quietly dispersed with their tails between their legs. I am telling you all it needs is the courage to stand up to these guys and you will see them run away – fear is what fuels their tyranny – stop being afraid and you win the battle.