This is just an apolitical observation of mine. The pretext may be anyone of the multiple public strikes in the near periods. These are statements of protests that seek answers for various issues that affect public and social lives. Yes these are really important and have a deep impact on the lives of a great many. They do require solutions and would need proactive action that will have an effect on a vast many or at least a group. These are definitely attempts to disrupt public lives and not at all means of hurting people. At least they are not meant to be.
In India the voice of protest is initially conveyed through public rallies. This means that groups of people would take to the streets in a manner that they will be noticed by the people, the media and the Government in turn. This is supposed to bring the issue to the fore front and to encourage discussion and proactive interventions. The media are supposed to take notice and induce thought and conversations. They are supposed to collect public opinion and reflect the overall acceptance. Ultimately the rally, be it one of a few hundred or that of a few millions, is expected to bring forth the choice of the people of the land.
Yet, just taking a look at the last rally that I witnessed. There were less than a hundred people. They were taking the protest out on a matter that I or anyone around had any idea of. Most of us didn’t even know that a problem existed. However we were all, truly unaffected people stuck in the middle of the stationary traffic. The entire body of traffic was spewing deadly Carbon Monoxide mixed with soot and Carbon Dioxide. We were getting no place and there was a lot of heated word exchanged between people who had nothing against each other. The loud protestors made sure that they made enough disruptions and the party flags were seen.
This incidentally is a scene from the streets almost every day. The roads that we pay taxes for, being hijacked by the few who have no job to do and live off those who work. The good thing is that these people do not have a sense of shame so they are least effected, and we get the whole thing on ourselves. After all politics is for the people, of the people. Need not necessarily mean FOR THE PEOPLE. It certainly for some people……
Then there is the general strike. A show of protest against the Government, where all life is supposed to be held back in protest. Banks, restaurants, grocery shops, milk services, and other essential services, even Government Offices are to be held at ransom by the political body that sponsors the strike. This means that you either stock up or go hungry for the day. Your baby needs to understand the national need for protest and stay milkless. Of course your need for grocery ought to have been foreseen and addressed days in advance and vegetables stocked. They only way to go out is to have a deadly heart attack and be taken to the hospital.
The political party is supposed to gloat in glory for successfully disrupting the lives of the millions successfully. They are successful servants of great people causes, because they were able to starve you, deny you your freedom of movement, deny you the freedom of trade and be the great force that imprisoned you. The clout of their service brought you to your knees. But since you have been there always due to the service of the elected Government and public life denied by the political opposition, the conscience to correct, you will stay right there forever.
So finally the strike succeeded, the parties succeeded. Only you lost. You have always lost. That is the take away from the democracy of the Indian Union
I just need to be remembered that I have the right not to strike, or not to protest. Or maybe I could protest by working one hour more for the people. I could protest by collecting support online from emails, facebook or twitter. But most importantly the cause for the strike needs a level of fairness. It should be correct and clearly for the people, not for any party. It should benefit, if not all, most of the people and should be an attempt to correct a mistaken step. Else, all you would be doing is denying my poor baby the milk she needs but was denied just because she was born in this proud land of ours.