Exactly 30 years ago, this day on 6th of December 1992 the controversial Babri Masjid in Ayodha was pulled down by an irate mob. Next day morning headlines on newspapers and subsequently on magazines flashed the famous (rather infamous) picture of folks climbing on that ill fated dome, a la termites on a molehill.
The appropriate caption on all the print media (social media was absent those days) was "NATION'S SHAME". In two words it summarized my feelings at that time. I was ashamed that we once upon a time used to call ourselves a great civilization.
Many may not be aware of another piece of news emanating the same night. It was then reported on media that not far from the plains of Ayodhya in the hilly township of Mussoorie where the National Academy of Administration is located, some of our elite Civil Services trainees and the prospective custodians of law & order acted extremely Civil by going berserk - cheering anf celebrating this colossal break of law and order earlier that evening.
In Odia we say "RAKHYAKA BHAKHYAKA HELE KANA HABA", meaning - What will happen if the protector turns into tormentor. In other words what will happen if the fence starts eating the crops it should protect ? That impromptu zamboree made me wonder if we are in Zimbabwe and how safe our nation is with such future administrators at helm.
The intention of this post is not to start a debate on communal vs secular, Hindu vs Muslims and so on. As a nation of plurality and civility the rule of laws should rule the roost, above everything else.
A dispute needs to be settled in the court of law, not on streets by taking law into one's own hands. If rule of law and the confidence of the citizenry on the administration is not restored this allusion of "Nation's Shame" is gonna hunt us forever.
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