Democratic attitudes

How different is Nandigram different than Godhra? We- the educated urban middle class and supposedly socially well placed– were shocked and voiced dissent against Narendra Modi for allowing the “state sponsored” genocide but why is there almost a muted, indifferent reaction to the state sponsored genocide that is happening in Nandigram? A people’s protest against acquisition of their land is quelled and suppressed forcibly, a ruling party’s cadre which runs the State Government cordons off the area, goes on a defensive warpath justifying the action taken, the police is asked not to interfere and people are killed. Who cares?


What is the farmer, the land tiller, the landless labourer’s contribution to the national economy ? Why can’t he give (sacrifice) his lands for the national benefit – the benefit of the ‘public’ at large. We definitely need our bigger cars, our high rise apartments, our huge malls, the plush multiplexes, designer brands, boutique restaurants - after all, we work so hard in air-conditioned offices and contribute to the gross national product of the country being its educated class.

It is disturbing to note that this non-inclusive pattern of development is being pursued relentlessly, in most cases in an autocratic fashion, alienating the vast poor underbelly of the country; we justify this snatching away of their lands and forcing a lifestyle change on them without putting in place adequate opportunities and choices for the displaced. We demand and expect that such a class alone repeatedly pay the price for the development of the nation, the fruits of which are reaped mostly by the affluent.

Is n’t there something intrinsically unjust and unfair in such an expectation? Whatever happened to balanced sustainable development and the democratic process? Does it end with singing paeans to democracy ?