Rakesh Manchanda
With the acceptance of the popular song Kolaveri Di, the slap market is upbeat. One slap on the cheek of the honourable agricultural minister is captured by media and flashed again and again. Old-fashioned experts on the education system used this tool. They argue that the nervous system starts delivering more blood and oxygen to the brain. A slap-happy culture should now serve the Government`s hidden agenda of diverting attention from vital national issues. It forces people on the road to use slap politics as a way to “fire fight” their own anger. Where should the Aam admi go? To the CBI? Police perhaps? Getting killed in the process of fighting for justice is just one of the many heinous things happening to Whistle blowers today.
What is the harm if Anna enjoys a premier of the Bollywood movie – “Gali Gali Mein Chor Hai”? Anna has a right to react in a the style of the hero wherein the protagonist in the film slaps the corrupt crook-police-politician nexus. In his blog as part of India Against Corruption, Anna Hazare re-confirmed this expression after he agreed to watch and comment on the movie. It is unfortunate that a section of media is giving a different political spin to this incidence. Slap politics as a solution is forced on the Common man with no choice. Slap-Happiness is a spontaneous `short cut` without a choice. When a politician is slapped, there is a debate in the Parliament and the Aam Admi is sent to jail. A village Sarpanch and leader of Punjab’s ruling Shiromani Akali Dal repeatedly slapped a lady teacher as on television for demanding a permanent contract and a job, at a function in Muktsar district in Punjab. As usual, police present at the spot refused to act. Parliament also closed its eyes and ears on this issue.
Unequal social and economical justice is another reason for people getting angry and losing their dignity by showing low tolerance levels. To change the situation and to see that such stories do not not break every minute we need to understand as to why there there is no limit for rich. Unlike BPL, a line which helps gauge poor and levels of poverty. There is no line to limit or to count the wealth of filthy rich.
Let us not forget that Mahatma Gandhi, the global crusader of Non-Violence during world war-I, appealed to Indian youth to join the British Army. There was no other choice for Mahatma at that time to support and protect the British India and its unequal colonial systems against Global War. Later during the Non Cooperation Movement, Indian protesters set a police station on fire and killed 19 police constables. The Mahatma was forced to withdraw the agitation and went on fast. In India, today, a law enforcing mechanism with a “danda”(baton) is expected to deliver justice. Nothing has changed since then. People continue to protest against police and army atrocities. Recently during Republic Day millions of alert and additional police force and para military were deployed in Delhi. Police and intelligence is understood to have an additional but difficult protocol to stop shoe throwing and slapping.
Strong effective Laws if are delivered in time can help. But potential Laws get stuck like Lokpal Bill. People`s backing of laws in the need-supply equation is must. If laws are applied correctly fast justice supported by distribution of wealth generated can encourage more & more people to work as a team. This will ensure less conflicts and with better governance no `slap politics` and no protests will take place. Politicians at large must stop nursing the governance of 1% people and should fulfill their promises made to people, on time.
Only constructive participation of people, more jobs and effective laws with speed justice can stop slap politics. Till then the Government must close down the Bata, Action and other Shoe & hawai chappal making companies to overcome this challenge. For newer ways to stop slap politics ? Can the politicians and media suggest a safer route?
With politicians getting charged up with the “slap” theory it appears that soon public meetings shall get converted into open jails with hand cuffs to be put in common man wrists. Can this prevent the slap and its unending repercussions? What about MPs and MLAs behaviour in Parliament ? Noise and anarchy in full public gaze continues. Chairs, mike, paper weight, money bundles & shoe throwing with abuses in Parliament and Vidhan Sabha is often seen . Can we tie the hands here misusing public money and time ? Discipline must start at the bottom and maintained at the top. Slap and pain are inseparable. After all, before birth labour pain and bleeding is absolutely normal.
