Referring to an incident in Alabama wherein he had to send in troops to ensure that two black children were admitted in a public school as per the order of a district court, President John F. Kennedy had called on the people of the United States to ensure justice for all. “The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened,” he told his compatriots who believed in segregation and discrimination.
This is the fundamental principle on which democracies are supposed to function; it cannot, in theory, accede to the idea that some are more equal than others. And when they see aberrations and arbitrariness, they protest, as they feel their rights are under fire.
It is a fact that the unrest and violence in Manipur that have lasted for over two months have claimed more than hundred lives, displaced many more and attracted global attention. It is not uncommon for the European Parliament to discuss such a development and adopt a resolution calling for steps to halt the violence.
India has, however, taken strong exception to the European Parliament’s resolution calling it a reflection of the unacceptable “colonial mindset”. It added that the Indian State, including the judiciary, is seized of the matter and are “taking steps to maintain peace, harmony and law and order”. In a tit for tat response, India advised the European Parliament “to utilise its time more productively on its internal issues”.
Despite its shortcomings on several counts, Independent India has tried its best to protect the interests of its diverse people and given the world very little cause for concern. While acknowledging the sentiments others express on our domestic developments, the government must ensure that these receive the attention and seriousness they do deserve.
