Are We Still in British Raj?
I see many people posting on their blog about the recent incidents like burning trains in Punjab and today they burnt trains in Bihar. But none of the blogs tell me about why this happens. People I talk around also do not know why this happens.
Some say that it is essential in democracy to which I strongly disagree. Loss to public property is a direct loss to us, to all citizens of India. There are hundreds and thousands of people who are always ready to put things on blaze… but why? This question kept me haunting till today.
I called up my father to discuss this. He is in Police service in Bihar cadre. I asked him this simple question for why do we go and put things on fire whenever there is something that makes us unhappy.
The answer he gave was the most common answer you get on the streets of India. It was, “You just can’t help it. This is what happens in India. This happens when the crowd/ mob/ someone from us are unhappy with the state. This is to protest against the state”.
I said, “Fine! but why to put things on fire if you are unhappy with the state. After all these belong to us”.
He smiled (I know though he was over the phone) and said, “Son, we were ruled by British for centuries together. Those were the times when all these did not belong to the people of India. If a train that time would be set on fire, it would be a direct loss to the British Empire. If you block the roads and transport system, it would hit the economy but of the British Empire”.
I was curious enough to pop a question in between, “But how all this imply to the current situation”.
“Son”, he said, “We are still being ruled by the same mindset. We got our freedom but our minds are still slaves. They protest against the state but do not realize all belongs to us. This is an imperative mindset of free India that is till being ruled by others”.
So I wish all my fellow countrymen understand this and take a pledge to stop this nonsense. Do not fall into negative political motivations and misguidance. Think for yourself, your future and you family’s future. This country belongs to you. It is you who has to take a step forward and make the world see that we can cause a change to happen.
June 1st, 2009 at 10:44 pm
I concur with you on this. We pay taxes for the infrastructure. We should pledge not to burn/ damage our hard earned assets.
Thanks mate, for sharing this piece of thought.
July 6th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
I agree with the mind set theory put forth by your father. The mind set during British Raj was to put the government in jeopardy and it continues till date long after the British are gone. One point though is that such acts not only ruin the trains or the public places, it puts a lot of people in a total mess. E.g. if there would have been a baraat going in the train OR someone in need to go to a city to visit a hospital … British Raj or not, it still affected and will continue to affect the common man. To loose a life just because you were in the vicinity is by no means justified.
August 15th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Thanks sir, Because of your curious and execution – mind set, I found here that my qusetion has been answered which was unanswered for me (Unsatisfactory reply) from long back.
Salute to your father on this I – Day for possessing such theories.