Let's stop being an uncivil society

In the second term of the Congress government, the spotlight remained on corruption. But after its ignominious departure, the focus has shifted towards another "c" - civil society. Thus far, we have not been too distracted by corruption issues, and perhaps this continuous focus on civil society might lead to a more inclusive and stronger social fabric, as the knotty issues get straightened out.

In fact, every issue we are discussing now had been simmering, quite overtly, for long. But the fact that these issues have finally come to our notice is very important, and we should not try to push them away or reduce their significance. It is crucial to examine them, and the government must welcome the opportunity.

Because we know how often these problems have beset us in the past.  In the last few decades, within the ghastly graph of social crimes, we have seen entire minority villages being forcibly evacuated, and far too many instances of Dalits being burnt alive within their homes. And who can forget even more horrific happenings such as the Bhagalpur blindings? Our country has seen massacres, and rapes and human bondage of every kind.

Even in the last ten years or so, we know of instances when members from a minority community were denied a residence within specific buildings, in Kolkata and Mumbai. We also know that even in so-called completely liberal societies, the lower castes continue to be targeted. In the UK, for instance, discrimination against the Dalit community has been red flagged, and undoubtedly it will take a long time before it is wiped out, from there, too.

Killings and oppression are to be found in all kinds of countries.

Indeed, we have seen the murders of writers and artists in Europe, in "freedom loving" spaces. Let's also not forget that elected governments do not exactly represent all the maligned forces in society, even though we would like to hold them responsible.

We must, however uncivil we might be, try to ensure that this current wave of atrocities ceases, and that justice is delivered. That is what we should be aiming for, and not rushing off to condemn people who may or may not be involved.

Yes, of course, it is the job of the opposition to ask questions, and prod the government into moving faster. And it is for the government to convince the country and the opposition, in a reasonable fashion, that they have only begun to govern in the last year and a half, and would need time to clean up the mess left behind by the previous government or governments, as the case may be. Attitudes, as we found in the aftermath of the Nirbhaya case, do not change in days or months, but will need decades, even centuries!

We must genuinely believe in the power and freedom of people to protest and question. It is only through these means that real change is brought about. But one must also ensure that the hysteria and fear generated around a problem does not prevent us from finding the solution, and delivering justice.