The beating up of the Supreme Court lawyer, social activist and an important member of Team Anna at his official chamber by the three young men for his comment on Kashmir is not only shocking but also the clear sign of dangerous trend of violence arising out of the growing intolerance to contrary view. The scene of beating up of a respectable senior advocate played out on TV news channel screens was so horrible that it even shudders the viewers. This is against the constitutional right to freedom of speech.
It is correct that the issue of Kashmir is deeply associated with the sentiment and emotion of Indians and India considers it as an inalienable part of the nation. Undoubtedly, Jammu and Kashmir is the integral part of India. Advocate Prashant Bhushan in his individual capacity had expressed his view on Kashmir that there should be a plebiscite there to resolve the issue. As he has himself admitted that it is minority view, it does allow the members of any group or organization to beat him at his official chamber. It must be stridently condemned by one and all and the attackers must be brought to book and awarded deterrent punishment.
The three young attackers were reportedly belonged to Shri Ram Sene and Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena respectively. One of the attackers belonged to Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena were alleged to be associated with the youth wing of Bhartiya Janta Party in the past, though the BJP promptly denied that he had any kind of association with the party. Whichever organization they are associated with does not matter. They must be punished stringently so that it could have deterrent impact. Because their violent action has no place in civil society and it gives the scent of medievalism.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan may have expressed anti-majority view on Kashmir by advocating plebiscite but it does not give permission to the people of majority view to physically assault him. Members of any group or organization can not claim to be called nationalists by throttling the people who express contrary view in secular, democratic and free society. To react in this way is the sign of cowardliness and not of bravery.
The action of the three young men is against the essence of our democracy and constitutional right. This act is shameful and shocking for the entire nation. The law enforcing agency, especially the police, must keep constant vigil on these fascist elements so that they could not enact it in the future. The members of Shri Ram Sene were alleged to have roughed up the girls at a Banglore pub also in the past. They are infamous for hooliganism. Whichever organization encourages hooliganism, lumpiness, intolerance and violence must be banned immediately.
If the three young men considered Prashant Bhushan’s view of plebiscite on Kashmir as anti-national, they could have moved the court and filed a case of sedition against him. They could have also expressed their anti-plebiscite view in public. But by taking on Prashant Bhushan physically, they have broken the law in the first instance and brought shame on the nation.
It is not for the first time that the senseless display of intolerance has taken place in public in our country. There are several other instances where contrary view or opinions were met with physical assault of the same condemnable nature.
The Government must take the serious view of the assault on Prashant Bhushan and take stringent action not only against those young men who have carried out the ugly act but also against the organizations or groups which are behind this shameful act.
The rising trend of intolerance is a serious threat to democracy. If it is not possible in democracy to air the contrary view on any issue confronting the nation, it is the clear sign that fascist elements are raising their heads without any fear of the law enforcement agencies. Violence has no place in a democratic society. Every contentious issue must be resolved through talks, discussions and debates.
Today it is Prashant Bhushan, tomorrow there will be some other to face the same treatment for expressing contrary view. No sensible person will ever have appreciation for the young men who have assaulted him. Team Anna must also take the incident seriously and must stand unitedly against it as Prashant Bhushan is their key member. Team Anna also must not allow the lumping elements in the name of youth brigade in their anti-graft tirade. All must condemn the beating up of Prashant Bhushan.
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