It has been a depressing fortnight. The self-appointed protectors of cows have terrorised all and sundry with their violent vigilantism. Unfortunately, despite stern warnings issued by the prime minister and the home minister, it hasn’t been possible to control the goons. To those who are killed or maimed, it makes no difference that the predators belong to a lunatic fringe, are a microscopic minority who don’t represent the sentiment of the majority community. Untold damage has already been done to the social fabric of the nation. This isn’t an issue that is confined to secularism versus communalism. First and foremost, such incidents are a challenge to the sovereignty of the state.
A government that allows perpetrators of crime to get away with literally murder can’t maintain law and order. Once its reputation gets tarnished—either due to partisanship or sheer incompetence—it can’t credibly claim a right to govern. The signs are ominous. Anarchy is at the threshold. What is most terrifying is that lynching of suspects isn’t confined to any one state. While it is true that in our Constitution maintaining law and order is a state subject, the Centre cannot remain a mute spectator to the unravelling lawlessness. It isn’t enough to condemn the atrocities. What is required is exemplary punishment meted out swiftly. The tragedy is that anyone who suggests this can be accused of subverting, nay, short-circuiting the due process of law.
Events in the Valley confront the nation with a similar challenge. There has been no respite in stone pelting and hurling abuse on men in uniform, demolishing them. Images of human rights violation by security forces broadcast on television and social media become viral and continue to haunt viewers. What is forgotten very easily is the carnage that separatists-terrorists have perpetrated nonstop for years. The intemperate language used during his election campaign by Farooq Abdullah has only fuelled the flames. It’s saddening to see the low depths to which an opportunistic politician can sink. In the end, he was declared the winner in the constituency where less than four per cent votes were polled. Eight
persons lost their lives in the course of conducting the elections. Once again a reminder is perhaps required.
This is not the time to talk about exploring the ‘roots of violence’ and assign culpability for the mess in the state. What we are witnessing is the total breakdown of law and order. The BJP in its greed to share the spoils of power stepped into a minefield from which it is finding it difficult to escape. The loss of face is irreparable. But that shouldn’t be the prime concern for the leadership of the party or the central government. It is imperative in national interest that the sovereignty of the state is protected. If to maintain law and order force has to be used, so be it! No government can eschew legally permissible force forever. Even Emperor Ashok had not disbanded his army following the revolting experience of bloodshed at Kalinga.
The reluctance to face facts squarely and an effort to have a peaceful dialogue with the outlaws and fiendish mercenaries can only end in disaster. How soon have the memories faded of Punjab under the terrifying reign of Khalistani terror. Or efforts to reason with the murderous cadres of LTTE! Let’s not be distracted by sinister offers of mediation by ‘friends’ who are responsible for propping up Pakistan against India and have exacerbated the conflict. Nor should we gloat over our ‘success’ at isolating Pakistan in international fora. Nothing of this kind has happened. Pakistan continues in its vicious attempts to destabilise India by stirring up trouble in Kashmir. Without the US and Chinese support it couldn’t have sustained this undeclared war by proxy.
National interest would be better served if troublemakers in the Valley were treated as seditionists rather than trying students and teachers in universities for this crime. Ironically, these leaders continue to strut the stage their expenses charged to public exchequer under security cover provided by the government.
What we wish to underline is that safeguarding the rule of law must come before all else. Any weakness in this matter can only propel the nation towards the precipice. Reconciliation will remain a mirage as long as appeasement by any other name continues to be the preferred option. Appeasement of brutish bandits and fringe elements in family and circle of friends can be as fatal as appeasement of tyrants on the rise. Time is running out fast.
Pushpesh Pant
Former professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University
pushpeshpant@gmail.com