I am writing this article in support of Justice Katju, former Judge of the Supreme court, who said that 90% of Indians are fools. Please read the article
here.
This is not a sudden impulsive decision to write on this topic now. I have been seeing and observing how we, the people of this great nation, have stooped to an abysmal level of intellect, dialogue and a nation-directed conscience.
In his article Justice Katju, points out certain flaws in the ongoing social agitation and movement. He points out certain intrinsic hypocrisies in the present system and challenges us to think by calling us to move in the direction of rationale and scientific outlook.
I would like to supplement his article by adding a few more points.
1. I have always thoroughly believed that in us, the Indians, lies a core value, as a result of which, thousands of years of invasions by outsiders (Mughals, British and consumerism being the recent ones) have never managed to erase our identity or our culture. In our assimilation lies the true value of self-preservation.
We are extremely defensive people. Perhaps because we have never been part of a democratic structure for thousands of years (including now). We have developed a sense of rebellious attitude, a streak of disestablishmentarianism, an urge to protest.
While this is essential for a healthy functioning of a people's government, in India we-have-too-much-of-a-good-thing case going on.
This feeling is displayed when we do not throw our rubbish in the trash cans and litter the streets.
This feeling can be seen when we spit on DO NOT SPIT signs.
This feeling is evident when we do not wear helmets or seat belts, and drive at high speeds on our city roads.
Our escape to barbarism when we cannot see any obvious authority, causes a lot of problems. I call it a lack of patriotism.
Case in point: Look at how the Delhi Metro is kept clean. Tip of the
lathi to you.
2. On the subject of patriotism, we are a bunch of self preserving, opportunistic... well, humans.
Everyone is.
It's evolution , I agree, and sadly we have not stopped evolving into a civil society, which recognizes the reason to stand together as a community, and portray a singular identity.
In other words we are still stuck in the evolutionary cycle.
You may now call me racist.
Did you know? That the English music icons performing in the London Olympics Ceremony charged their government 1 pound only.
Do you see our Indian stars going by the same rate, lets say 75 Indian rupees?
Do you know how much they charged? Do Google to find the answer.
Another Case in point: The Paes-Bhupathi problem. A couple of idiots who cannot put their egos aside to play for our great nation of a billion people.
3. My third point is by far the most important. We are an uneducated bunch. As Justice Katju rightly writes "
...when our people go to vote in elections, 90 per cent vote on the basis of caste or community, not the merits of the candidate. That is why Phoolan Devi, a known dacoit-cum-murderer, was elected to Parliament ... Vote banks are on the basis of caste and community, which are manipulated by unscrupulous politicians and others."
It takes but a few minutes of poor Photoshop for people to put up ridiculous posters and ideas. We have a very myopic view when it comes to looking at national news and issues.
I was recently embroiled in a discussion regarding Aamir Khan's
Satyameva Jayate with someone. He was attacking him taking potshots at his personal life, relationship with his workers, etc. I responded by saying, he has just used his fame to highlight certain views and asked what he felt was wrong with that. I faced a whole array of questions targeting how much money he earns and Ad charges.
I go to my earlier objection and how actors charge money. I agree he might be raking more than anyone in the small screen. But my question remains, What have you or I done? I have seen similar responses from people in my college when a bunch of students participated zealously in the anti-corruption movement pioneered by Anna Hazare. While I do not personally agree with his methods OR his Lokpal bill modification, I do not deny that he is an active social worker working to bring a positive change in his own way. And so are his followers.
We may choose to condemn a man for his personal life, but we should not and cannot condemn his actions if they are in some way helping our society introspect and come to a realization how unevolved we have been. I urge the readers to stop having such a shortsighted view and look at the bigger picture.
As far as I am concerned I am relieved that finally Indian Television has something more than Bollywood or cricket leagues, or imitation reality shows with a porn stars and idiotic starlets and wannabe "fame-mongers", or game shows which promise instant riches. This is what making it tick, I think.
We have not yet come out of our slave/servant mentality that has so dominated us as a result of being under autocratic rule for all these years. We need to think about our nation as a whole, not just look who is our partner in the tennis doubles team. We need to put differences, ALL DIFFERENCES, past and present aside, and look towards the future.
As I write this, I am afraid my words may be in vain and we may have gone beyond the tipping point of social apocalypse.
