The Hindu : It is mobocracy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 24, 2002

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

It is mobocracy

Sir, — We claim that we are the biggest democracy in the world. But what kind of democracy do we have?

After the Gujarat holocaust, Parliament has not been allowed to function, thus entailing huge loss of time and loss to the exchequer.

Will removing Mr. Narendra Modi undo all the problems in the State and reduce the sufferings of the people?

What has happened in Gujarat is a manifestation of mob fury, following the equally deplorable flame lit in the Godhra railway station.

Once the masses get excited or incited, it is difficult to control them. The individual loses his individuality and becomes one with the masses. The mob fury takes on the dimension of a huge tornado and destroys everything. And even the best of armies cannot quell it.

Would our wise elders of the Opposition in Parliament want the entire Army to be drawn to Gujarat and leave our national security to the winds? Does it not occur to them that the whole drama might be a clever plot by countries hostile to us to destroy our solidarity?

If the powers that be, including the Opposition, really want to bring peace and normality to Gujarat, they should tackle this mob fury as a psychological issue.

They should have the courage to go to the masses, as Mahatma Gandhi went to Naokhali and appealed to the people's good sense by holding prayers, bhajans and meetings, emphasising the values of love, harmony and human compassion.

Instead, the Opposition is itself behaving like a mob.

N. Subramanyan,
Bangalore

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