Personal encounters with regionalism & communalism

For quite a few months, I have been urging fellow travelers in the (govt) buses not to play music aloud i.e. without using ear phones. The argument is plain and obvious – You have a right to pleasure, but not at the cost of others’ peace. Of course, I don’t convey it in such an assertive way – the tone is usually that of a request. Yet, not all of them choose to cooperate. Of the counter arguments I face, one has really stuck with me, although I have encountered it only once thus far. To my open-mouthed amazement, it was reasoned by one passenger (not the noise maker) that the music was being played in Kannada, and it is ill-advised for a Hindi-speaking person (like me) to ask for it to be silenced. Since he too was getting disturbed, I said: “If an ‘outsider’ can’t have a say in this, why don’t you, a ‘son of the soil’, try to knock some sense into our music-lover’s head?”. He sheepishly suggested that it would be construed as turning against his own people! This was my first direct experience of this growing menace of regionalism. The insecurity stemming from employment opportunities having to be shared, if fueled by divisive politics, can turn into a serious hassle, as evident in the ongoing insanity in Maharashtra.

The nuisance of loud music also prevails around our homes, in the form of public displays of festivities. One such affair organized in our street hit our ears so hard that Seju and I decided to walk upto the venue and request some of the people there to tone it down. Somewhat expectedly, our appeal met deaf ears. By the time we returned home, I had realized that the odds were steeply against us until we involved one of two more people. So, we talked a neighbour into joining us. This time, we were heard a little better, not just because “the more, the merrier”, but also because our neighbour spoke in Kannada. Even then, they were unwilling to cooperate. Out of our longish, animated discussion, one argument, put forth by a gray-haired, hard-to-please man, stood out. Although I am unable to recall the exact words, here’s the crux: “If you are troubled by loud music this much, go and ask the mosques to get rid of their daily prayers which begin as early as the wee hours of the morning!”. As you would have deduced, this was a Hindu gathering. I don’t have anything against the man’s complaint against the disturbance caused by the mosques, but then, the temples contribute their fare share too, so why not point a figure that way as well?

Moreover, others’ mistakes can’t justify yours. Whether it’s energy-abuse or dowry, the popular defense is: “What  fruit will one person’s efforts bear when the majority is unconcerned?”. This excuse for shirking one’s responsibilities is best shattered by this Margaret Mead quote: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Whether it’s our freedom struggle or the anti-apartheid movement (which terminated the long standing discrimination against Blacks) in S. Africa, history has proven this fact time and again. So, let’s not care a hoot about the indifference around us and keep doing the right things!

PS: Wanted to share this very important campaign called  “I am no lab rat“, opposing the entry of Genetically Modified (GM) crops/foods in India. GM foods have been shown to be worryingly hazardous, to the extent that the EU, Japan and many other countries have banned/restricted it. Yet, the Indian authorities have chosen to go by the vested opinion of corporate heavyweights like Monsanto, for reasons that involve neither science nor public interest. If they have their wish, Bt Brinjal – a GM variety by Monsanto – may be in your veggie basket in only a couple of months. What’s worse: You won’t be able to tell a normal Brinjal from a GM one! To prevent all this, please contact me to join this fight. For starters, kindly sign an online petition. {Comprehensive facts}

[Clarification] We are not opposed to genetic engineering in general. We only seek to keep the current crop of injurious GM foods/crops at bay.

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