Crude protests spill in the Middle East. All for a democratic government. The jasmine revolution began in the North African nation of Tunisia, culminating in President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali’s ouster. It further spread to the land of the Nile; with the Egyptians vehemently protesting against the 30 year repressive regime of President Hosni Mubarak.
No sooner had the dust settled in Tunisia and Egypt; there began an uprising in Bahrain. It seemed Egypt’s protest crossed the Red Sea to spillover the Persian Gulf. This time, the revolt against the monarch rule of King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifah. Bahrainis roared for a democratic government.
While the protest in Manama became fierce, its gale traveled through the Mediterranean Sea to Libya. Influenced by Bahrain along with its western and eastern neighbours- Tunisia and Egypt respectively, smoke of unrest billowed in the wells of Libya. Demonstrators called for the end of 41 year rule of its dictator, Col Muammar Gaddafi.
The presidents of Tunisia and Egypt, succumbed to the mounting pressure of protesters, and stepped down. The king of Bahrain proposed to have a dialogue with demonstrators. However, it was the defiant, Col Gaddafi, who had formulated a chemical equation to deal with the Libyans, and declared war on them.
On one hand, the leader of a country had ordered the use of tanks, helicopters and warplanes to be fired at his countrymen; and on the other hand, in a country like India, a Pakistani terrorist named Ajmal Amir Kasab, who had opened fire on hundreds, thereby, waging a war against the nation, is given all the rights to defend himself. By holding a free, fair and transparent trial of Kasab, India has truly branded herself as one the world’s largest democracy.
Democracy, the wish of every mankind is a test of one’s character. It’s a process of hope and wait, with the attributes of perseverance longer than the Ganges; and patience deeper than the Indian Ocean; leading to a cherished victory, higher than the Himalayas.
Though Kasab’s death sentence has been upheld by the Bombay High Court, yet he has the right to knock the doors of the Supreme Court, for being saved from the gallows. And if the Supreme Court upholds his death penalty, the 26/11 terrorist can file a mercy petition before the President. The wait for justice is excruciatingly long and painful, especially for the families, who have lost their loved ones.
Isn’t the transparency of the Indian judicial system laudable? Isn’t the bereaved families’ courage praiseworthy? Aren’t they the epitome of patience? The answer unequivocally is: “YES.” It’s been two-and-a- half years, yet affected people insist on following the due process of the law. These are the courageous, large- hearted people of a democratic country. Incredible Indians!
There were times when I became impatient with the slow pace of Kasab’s trial. But the crisis in the Middle East genuinely made me realize the fortune of being born and residing in a democratic country.
While the world condemned Col Gaddafi’s brutal action against protesters, it was heartening to see Bahrain’s king using the missile of “SOFT POWER”- a dialogue with protesters to put an end to the on-going crisis.
The one person who has influenced my thoughts with his unceasing conviction in the supremacy of “SOFT POWER” is Dr Daisaku Ikeda, a Buddhist leader, peace builder, prolific writer, poet, educator and founder of a number of cultural, educational and peace research institutions around the world. For Dr Ikeda, the impact of dialogue is not just limited to theory. He has actually set precedence for mankind through his actions.
Dr Ikeda is constantly engaged in dialogue with people from all walks of life, and has cemented ties with various countries, including the countries with which Japan had strained relations, post World War II. On the basis of “Soft Power”, he has been annually submitting Peace Proposals to the UN since 1983.
Nothing on earth can replace dialogue. You indeed need to be lion-hearted to have a dialogue with people against you. It’s this very move by the king, which has provided solace to my Indian friends in Bahrain. Their lives were clouded with anxiety and uncertainty, until the king offered to have talks with protesters to hear them out. So much so, the royal family preferred to put the issue of Grand Prix at the back burner, to douse off the fire of discomfort among its citizens.
Though, there is still no clarity on the future course of action and the transition process in Bahrain. Nevertheless, the king has somewhat won the confidence of people. And “Dialogue” has once again become the brand ambassador of peace.
By Shivani Venugopal
(Branch Head- Bengaluru)
1 comment:
Very well thought and very well written. Especially the para where you used the metaphor of Ganges, Indian Ocean and Himalayas.
In the name of democracy so many terrorists and other criminals are either in jail or on bail.
The delayed justice systems eats out the desire for justice.
Humanity is getting lost in the midst of social, economic and political turmoil. There is a urgent need for soft power, very dire need for "Human Revolution" to build a sustainable world.
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