Padmavat and how Jeffersonian Democracy does not suit all

Eminent Odia writer Manoj Das in his book SMRUTIRA PRADEEPA (Lamp from Memory), a collection of his articles written a decade or so ago in Odia provided a rare glimpse into our History, especially the part about the valor of Rajputs, a warrior clan. 

Shah Jahan, the Mughal Emporer (credited with the building of Taj Mahal) once invited the independent minded Rajput King Amar Singh of Mewar in modern day Rajastan under the guise of peace. No sooner the brave but unsuspecting Rajput entered the Mughal fort, than he was betrayed by the wily emperor and was killed. The emperor ordred the Rajput king's body not to be cremated and left on the ground as the proud Rajput king dared to defy the Mughal-E-Azam. 

Soon came marching a cavalry of 20 brave Rajputs to secure Amar Singh's body and entered into the Mughal fort. In the ensuing fierce fight 17 of them were killed but the remaining 3 managed to get Amar Singh's body back  and give him the cremation he deserved.

In another incident, Aurangzeb who succeeded Sah Jahan as the emperor was taking the king of Jodhpur Kingdom, Jashwant Singh for a stroll around his palace. He showed one of his prize collection, a full grown Tiger inside a cage. The emperor asked the Rajput if he had seen any animal more fierce than his prize catch.  

Jashwant Singh laughed and said that it is normal for the Rajput kids to play with Tigers. "Is that so ?" Arurangzeb mocked at the Rajput King thinking that the later was bluffing. Jashwant Singh ordered his young son Prithvi Singh to enter the cage and fight the Tiger. Prithvi Singh entered the cage, fought and killed the Tiger despite suffering grave injuries. Aurangzeb turned red with humiliation. There are numerous such anecdotes of Rajput bravery. 

In this context, the activities of Karni Sena who achieved a memoable victory over kids in a school bus must be making the likes of Veer Hammir, Rana Pratap and Amar Singh turning in their graves in shame.

Netaji Subash Bose wasn't far from truth if he said that India needed years of Military rule before tasting democracy (not sure if he really said so or an urban legend, but it's profound). Also Jiang Xemin, China's President from 1993 to 2003 told the Americans who lectured him about Democracy - "The Jefferson model of democracy doesn't suit everybody".

No one, yes no one, should take the law into one's own hand. Period. Whatever may be the disenchantment, the rule of law should prevail without fear or favor to no one. It is sad that a bunch of rag tag hooligans can hold an entire nation to hostage. Luckily for China they don't have to deal with vote bank politics, so they can ruthlessly come down on those creating anarchy with iron hand.

If China is so successful today it is because they don't give slightest scope to the likes Karni Sena. Not long ago for the Chinese, a nation of 1.4 billion people, the handling of trash was a major problem, especially in its urban centers. When there are people, they will produce trash. The city of Sanghai itself produces 22000 tons of trash every day, a gargantuan amount. All this cannot be handled by filling up the landfills. So the pragmatic Chinese authorities came with this innovative idea of using incinerators imported from Japan to burn garbage.

But the use of incinerators was not free from side effects. In the affluent Lake side city of Shangzhu, the foul smell emanated from the burning trash at 850 degrees became as burning issue for the local populace, who protested by burning a few government vehicles. 

As usual the retaliation by the Chinese authorities was swift. It immediately poured in law enforcement officials into the city, both uniformed and civilians. They suppressed the protest with firm hand and continued incinerating the trash. Forget vandalism, no one raised a voice ever again.

Those who still remember the days of Emergency imposed on India in 1975 say that though the individual freedom was clipped, it had its positive side. People in government offices came to work on time. Public sectors made profit. Buses, planes and trains were dot on schedule. Though short lived, it yet vindicated that we respect the rod more than democracy.

I still believe a benevolent dictatorship with a vision is better than the chaotic democracy we presently have will serve its purpose. We can disagree on this, but Jeffersonian model of democracy is a myth, a mirage and certainly doesn't fit in to all milieu.

50 folks can gather to form a XXX Sena, being capable to bring an entire to a screeching halt if they are part of the righr vote bank at right time, all assured the authority will look orherwise. No wonder rest of the world, including Pakistan perceive us as a weak state. Subash Bose wasn't far from the truth if the legend surrounding him is to be believed.