Republic Day: Stop being cynical. It's time to reclaim the Constitution
Yesterday, a friend called for some work. He's a victim of the Shamli-Muzaffarnagar massacre of 2013.
He's been struggling to piece together his life after the massacre.
As we were about to hang up, he said, "Happy Independence Day, Nakul Bhai."
I smiled and said, "Thank you. Par kal Republic Day hai (Thank you. But tomorrow is Republic Day)."
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| 'What gives me, and many other like me, with the myriad privileges we enjoy, the right to be cynical?' |
"Arrey, haan! Sorry. Happy Republic Day. Jo bhi hai par mulk ke baare mein sochne ka din hai. Kal Allah se dua karoonga ki mulk mein fasaadat khatam ho jaaye taaki mulk aur tarakki kar sake (Whatever it is, but it's a day to think about our nation. I will pray to the Lord tomorrow to stop all riots in our nation, so that the nation can progress further)."
In spite of all that he suffered (and continues to suffer), cynicism was not his answer to those problems. What gives me, and many other like me, with the myriad privileges we enjoy, the right to be cynical? To be angry, yes. To be concerned, yes. But no, cynicism is also yet another privilege. One that makes you resign to all that is wrong with the nation. Maybe because privileges largely shield us from all that is wrong.
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| Muzaffarnagar riots in 2013 claimed nearly 62 lives and rendered over 50,000 people homeless. |
I stand with my friend's duas (prayers) and follow him in his resolve to reclaim the Constitution.
Happy Republic Day!
(This post first appeared on the writer's Facebook page.)