Search This Blog

Where is the necessary outrage?

Last week, Indian media was busy chasing story on how the Chief Minister of U.P, Mr. Akhilesh Yadav and his party members were being insensitive by hosting a "cultural" programme while riot victims of Muzaffarnagar were being subjected to inhuman conditions. The story got all the more spiced up due to insensitive remarks from the politicians on the issue and  clips of Bollywood stars performing at the event, shown in contrast with stark condition of riot victims.

We have heard horrific stories of "communal riots" and its aftermath resulting in brutal murders, rapes and death of innocent children since the riots in Muzaffarnagar broke out in September, 2013, leaving thousands homeless.



Abhorrent! To say the least, right? First, "communal riots" are designed and executed by religious/political fanatics with adroit meticulousness butchering innocent people. As if it is not enough, the state government goes into outright denial about seriousness of the tragedy! At relief camps also, actions are taken considering the political gains, favouring certain community over the other. Most of the riot victims are forced to live in shockingly inhuman conditions. The way this entire tragedy is handled leaves questions about the intent and understanding of the magnitude of suffering of the riot victims by the ruling party.

Does death in over populated country like ours has any significance at all? We conveniently accept every wrong as part of chaos that is India hence each day begins without iota of conscience/guilt of the perverse wrongs we contribute towards as we absolve ourselves with rhetoric of tokenism.

India being the largest democracy in world, has its unique challenges that need to be addressed in mature way but when even the most serious issues like communal riots/murders/rape/loss of human life are played out to the tunes of vote bank politics, is there any hope when lives do not matter, only votes do?   


What happened in Muzaffarnagar in September 2013 and in its aftermath is a reflection of filthy games of political conspiracies, communal traits and barbaric mindsets. Why are we, as Nation not united in demanding answers? Public outrage and pro-active participation is one of the most significant weapon, that can be used to keep our democracy alive and we have seen it become a significant weapon in serving justice in the gruesome Delhi gang-rape in 2013.


We, as citizens have many battles to fight where victory seems almost unattainable. May be we can't fight all the battles but can we be silent about death of about fifty innocent children? Why should it matter to us? It should, because it is about complete loss of inherent traits we all are born with as human beings; humanity and compassion. We are flesh and blood human beings, not mere numbers in some random list of data of voters' list.

Its time for making our outrage heard. There needs to be enough outrage not only for the sake of democracy but also for the sake of humanity. We owe it to those innocent children who lost their lives, to the unfortunate women who underwent trauma of rape and to those people who were shamelessly murdered in name of religion/politics. 

I don't think it is too much to ask for, if we are human enough, still!   

Raghurajpur, an emblem of heritage arts and crafts of Odisha!!!

About fifteen km from the revered city of Lord Jagannath, Puri, there is a tiny little hamlet Raghurajpur, nestled on the southern bank of r...