Badaun - Beyond the political rhetoric.

I did a news.google.in yesterday, and the first news was “Horrific rape and murder in UP/India”. It had more than 1000 articles published in all most all the online media across the globe. Every major news websites had an article on this topic. They highlighted “the regular” issues in India and how India failed to stop such horrific crimes. If you had watched any news channel in last couple of days, the shift was palpable. Every channel was showcasing the remote hamlets of India; those are deprived of basic human amenities. Helpless faces all around, and yet there were political rhetoric, and squabbling in every television debate. The UP government spokesperson simply said, accused are arrested and there will be speedy justice. UP Govt has done everything possible. The opposition said, chief minister was callous in his reply and attitude, and others reminded, it also happens even in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and other states, why the highlight is only on UP! But no one was ready to find and address the root cause except some activists.

Google any of these names “Badaun”, “Etawah”, “Azamgarh”, you will get enough material on internet, that should shame any self-conscious Indian. After that horrific incident in Delhi, once in a while, another horrific incidence happens, which scales up the gravity of inhumanity to such a height that arouses the mass consciousness, thousands come out on the streets, and the government wakes up from its deep slumber! The political blame game kicks up to another tune. And, like a gush of wind, it comes and goes, and the situation at ground just remains the same.

Beyond the issue of security alone, if one looks deeper, the problem lies elsewhere. It is not just a case of crime, but an issue of social justice, caste divided society, inequality of economic distribution, lack of basic facilities at remote rural areas, and socio-economic chaos. Take the case of Badaun; two teen aged girls went to the fields for open defecation after sun set, as their house lacked a bathroom. There are thousands of such villages across India, where this problem is acute. The women go either in the early morning or in the late evening, when men would not be around. And, the situation becomes grave during the rainy season. Any human development indicator in the world will rate these realities the lowest across the world. But it exists in India even after 67 years of the independence, and that’s our swaraj. Every major political party in India had ruled a state or the country, yet they don’t own any of these failures. They just pass the baton to others, and the justification they give - others also didn’t do anything.

Same applies to caste and religion divided society, where people do such crimes to teach a lesson to the other community. How many genuine political voices or governmental authority attempted to bring innovative solutions and implement in such rural areas where the situation is acute. Though lack of education can be one factor, but economic freedom and inequality of opportunities in rural India are other factors why it is shackled in a vicious cycle of social injustice and poverty. I have hardly read an inspiring story where a political leader has rose to the challenge and change the fortunes of the people of his constituency. Though once in a while, we read about few social activists or NGOs.

There may not be a magic wand or one magician, who comes and solves the problem. No doubt, it needs a strong political will and governmental support. A consistent effort beyond the political rhetoric and a sense of ownership and responsibility is needed to address these issues comprehensively. Such inclusive approaches may foster the country towards development rather based on the indicators like GDP growth alone. In addition, it must be supported by the social responsibility of every educated Indian, and non-governmental organizations that must play their role to improve the situations. In the hindsight, if I can question the political establishment and Government over their role for societal development, as a citizen, I am also responsible to certain extent. It is also my responsibility to contribute at a personal level. When I join others, these small contributions can grow to make our society better.